Introduction:
Scientists from the University of California San Diego have developed a biodegradable form of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that is filled with bacterial spores. The spores, derived from a strain of Bacillus subtilis, have the ability to break down the plastic polymer material. When exposed to nutrients present in compost, the spores germinate and break down the bioplastic. This innovation has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of the plastic industry and provide a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics.
- The researchers developed a biodegradable form of TPU by incorporating bacterial spores from Bacillus subtilis into the material.
- The spores have the ability to break down the TPU when exposed to nutrients present in compost.
- The addition of spores also improves the mechanical properties of the TPU, making it stronger and more stretchable.
- The biodegradable TPU achieved 90% degradation within five months in compost conditions.
- The researchers used adaptive laboratory evolution to enhance the heat tolerance of the spores, allowing them to survive the high extrusion temperatures necessary for TPU production.
Conclusion:
The development of this biodegradable TPU bioplastic filled with bacterial spores offers a promising solution to the environmental issue of plastic waste. The material not only breaks down in compost conditions, but also exhibits improved mechanical properties. This innovation highlights the potential of incorporating living organisms into synthetic materials to create biocomposite materials with enhanced functionalities. Further research is needed to optimize the production process and explore the use of bacterial spores in other types of plastics, with the goal of scaling up production for industrial applications.
