Plastic-Degrading Enzyme Discovered in Atacama Desert
- Researchers in Chile have identified a newly discovered enzyme in the Atacama Desert capable of degrading polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET plastic.
- According to reports from the Universidad de Chile and regional media outlets, the biological agent isolated from the extreme environment offers a potential tool for addressing synthetic waste...
- Scientists at the Universidad de Chile located the PET-degrading enzyme through environmental sampling in the Atacama Desert, as detailed by institutional announcements and outlets such as Prensa Latina...
Atacama Extremophiles Evolve PET-Eating Enzymes
Researchers in Chile have identified a newly discovered enzyme in the Atacama Desert capable of degrading polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET plastic.
According to reports from the Universidad de Chile and regional media outlets, the biological agent isolated from the extreme environment offers a potential tool for addressing synthetic waste accumulation in one of the driest regions on Earth.
Environmental Sampling in Solar Extremes
Scientists at the Universidad de Chile located the PET-degrading enzyme through environmental sampling in the Atacama Desert, as detailed by institutional announcements and outlets such as Prensa Latina and BioBioChile.
Targeting Persistent Global Waste
According to Fundación Terram, the finding targets one of the most widely used plastics in global manufacturing and packaging.
Breaking Chemical Bonds at Lower Temperatures
Outlets covering the discovery, including La Voz de Maipú, note that the biological agent holds important implications for developing industrial recycling methods that operate at lower temperatures and with reduced chemical input compared to traditional mechanical or thermal processing.