The discovery of these enzymes was the result of work by Federica Bertocchini, a research biologist and beekeeper from Spain, who came across the unusual abilities of wax worms in 2017. These parasites feed on wax, and to prevent their hives from collapsing, Bertocchini covered them with plastic bags as protection. Within 40 minutes, the packages were full of holes. Subsequent experiments showed that the worms not only chewed the plastic but actually digested it.
The scientists wanted to determine the mechanisms behind the worms’ ability to eat plastic. They used electron microscopy to analyze the waxworms’ saliva and watched how their plastic appetite was linked to a pair of enzymes. For hours at room temperature, these enzymes worked together to form visible craters on the surface of the plastic as they oxidized the material.
They hope to conduct further studies to uncover the mechanisms behind enzymes’ ability to break down plastic. They note there is still a lot of work to be done, but they hope the technology will one day help solve the growing problem of plastic pollution.
Source: Ferra
