Scientists have developed environment-friendly bioplastics from microorganisms.
scientists have developed biodegradable plastic from microorganisms that eat seaweed which produces zero toxic waste and can be recycled into organic waste.
According to the United Nations, plastic accounts for up to 90 per cent of all the pollutants in our oceans, yet there are a few comparable, environmentally friendly alternatives to the material.
“Plastics take hundreds of years to decay. So bottles, packaging and bags create plastic ‘continents’ in the oceans, endanger animals and pollute the environment,” said Alexander Golberg from Tel Aviv University in Israel.
Plastic takes a large amount of time to decay. So, all the plastic made packaging, bags, and bottles are polluting the environment, increasing plastic content in the ocean.
Plastic is produced from petroleum products and they release chemical contaminants in the industrial process as a byproduct.Bioplastic is a healthier rescue from plastic pollutants. The bioplastic don’t use petroleum and degrade quickly.
To grow bioplastic plants or bacteria, fertile soil and fresh water are required, which many countries including Israel do not have.
About the new process of producing plastic
The new adopted process to produce plastic by the researchers is from marine microorganisms that completely recycle into organic waste.The researchers harnessed microorganisms that feed on seaweed to produce a bioplastic polymer called polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).The required raw material to produce plastic was multicellular seaweed, cultivated in the sea.
These algae are eaten by single-celled microorganisms that grow in very salty water and produce a polymer that can be used to make bioplastic.
Benefits and side effects of adopting the new process of producing plastic
The proposed process will bring a shortage of fresh water in countries, like Israel, China and India, to switch from petroleum-derived plastics to biodegradable plastics.
Researchers could revolutionise the world’s efforts to clean the oceans, without affecting cultivating land and without using fresh water.
Researchers proved that it is possible to produce bioplastic completely based on marine resources in a process that is friendly to both the environment and its residents.
Artilce Credit :- IndiaToday