Scientists Discover Protein that Breaks Down Plastic

A group of scientists at the University of Texas have created a modified enzyme that can break down plastics. These scientists used machine learning to discover mutations that created a fast-acting protein that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET). They named the enzyme FAST-PETase, an acronym for “Functional, Active, Stable, and Tolerant PETase”. To make this discovery, the team of scientists used an algorithm that fed 19,000 protein structures to a machine that was taught to predict the positions of amino acids within those structures. This discovery shows an advantage over traditional recycling. Hal Alper (professor in Chemical Engineering and author of the paper) has said that with traditional recycling, plastics are melted and moulded back together to create new products and when this process occurs over and over again, that material starts to lose its integrity. However, with this new protein, you can break it down and remold it multiple times and create virgin PET plastic each time. From research, the scientist found that the enzyme discovered can break down 51 types of PET products and has been tested across a range of temperatures and PH conditions outperforming existing variants. Further research is still required, and Hal Alper has said he and his team must test FAST-PETase on the wide range of different types of PET found in the waste stream and the material found in plastic bottles and containers. The team believes that if their discovery passes all the tests, this discovery will open an array of possibilities for future research and development, and how we recycle and reuse plastic. Here at Rayda, we can assist you with your plastic needs. If you wish to discuss any enquiries with plastic production, please contact our team today, and we will be more than happy to help.

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