Fungus That Eats Plastic: A Breakthrough for the Planet

 Fungus That Eats Plastic: A Breakthrough for the Planet

In a remarkable discovery that could help combat the global plastic crisis, scientists have identified a fungus capable of rapidly breaking down one of the world’s toughest plastics — polyurethane. This fungus, *Aspergillus tubingensis*, was found in a landfill in Pakistan and has demonstrated the extraordinary ability to degrade plastic in just a few weeks, a process that typically takes hundreds of years.

The secret lies in the enzymes the fungus secretes. These enzymes break down the chemical bonds in the plastic polymers, weakening the structure and allowing the fungus to digest the material. This surface-level process means the plastic doesn’t need to be shredded or buried, making it more practical for real-world applications.

This innovative approach, called *mycoremediation*, uses fungi to clean up environmental pollutants. And *Aspergillus tubingensis* isn’t alone — other fungi like *Pestalotiopsis microspora*, discovered in the Amazon, can even survive on plastic in oxygen-free environments, making them ideal for waste treatment in landfills and marine settings.

Scientists are now exploring ways to scale this process through fungal enzyme-based bioreactors and sprays. This natural, low-cost method holds promise as a sustainable solution to the ever-growing plastic pollution problem.

Source: Khan, Sehroon, et al. “Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Aspergillus tubingensis.” Environmental Pollution, vol. 225, 2017.