Israeli scientists have developed a process that uses the microorganisms to create a biodegradable bioplastic polymer, which produces zero toxic waste and can be recycled into organic matter. Bioplastics can help counter plastic pollution, particularly in oceans, as they degrade rapidly and do not use petroleum. The researchers used bacteria from the genus Bacillus subtilis to produce biopolymers with high surface area for their new material. The new polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer, formed from microorganisms that feed on sea-cultivated multi-cellular seaweed, provides an alternative for countries with a shortage of agricultural land and limited water resources.
Israeli scientists have developed a process that uses the microorganisms to create a biodegradable bioplastic polymer, which produces zero toxic waste and can be recycled into organic matter. Bioplastics can help counter plastic pollution, particularly in oceans, as they degrade rapidly and do not use petroleum. However, their production requires fresh water and fertile soil. The new polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer, formed from microorganisms that feed on sea-cultivated multi-cellular seaweed, provides an alternative for countries with a shortage of agricultural land and limited water resources.