2025 for January 1970

Research has identified promising microbes like Ideonella sakaiensis, which can degrade PET plastic.

It is a bacterium from the genus Ideonella and family Comamonadaceae.
It is capable of breaking down and consuming the plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using it as both a carbon and energy source.
It was discovered by a group of researchers in Japan.
It breaks PET into its (environmentally benign) building blocks. These can then be used as food by I. sakaiensis and other organisms.

It is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, motile, non-sporing, non-pigment-producing, monotrichous bacterium.
They typically measure about 1.2 to 1.5 μm in length and 0.6 to 0.8 μm in width, giving the appearance of a bacillus under the microscope.
It was initially discovered from PET-contaminated soil, suggesting its main habitat to be the environment, mainly soil with enriched plastic wastes.
They are found to live in oxygen-rich moist soil and sewage sludge.

It is a condensation polymer of ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid.
The by-product of the reaction is water so it is an example of condensation or step-growth polymerization.
PET Plastic is a thermoplastic synthetic substance which is malleable under heat and can be placed into nearly any shape.

Source: DTE

Ideonella Sakaiensis FAQs

Q1: What is Ideonella sakaiensis used for?

Ans: It may be useful in recycling and upcycling mixed plastics.

Q2: What is the natural habitat of Ideonella sakaiensis?

Ans: It is known to survive in oxygen-rich soil that is moist and aerated.