Beaches bestrewn with plastic debris may have a tougher adversary to contend with in the shape of the 'super-enzyme'. Getty Images
Beaches bestrewn with plastic debris may have a tougher adversary to contend with in the shape of the 'super-enzyme'. Getty Images
Beaches bestrewn with plastic debris may have a tougher adversary to contend with in the shape of the 'super-enzyme'. Getty Images
Beaches bestrewn with plastic debris may have a tougher adversary to contend with in the shape of the 'super-enzyme'. Getty Images

Scientists create plastic-eating ‘super-enzyme’ in war on waste


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A potentially transformative breakthrough in the global fight against climate change has been made by scientists in the UK and America.

A plastic-eating ‘super-enzyme’ has been created by scientists at the University of Portsmouth, UK, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, US, which could lead to a major reduction in both plastic pollution and greenhouse gases.

The enhanced enzyme is able to dispose of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), the plastic used in soft drinks and fruit juice packaging, as well as PEF (polyethylene furanoate), a sugar-based bioplastic.

PET is non-biodegradable and can take hundreds of years before decomposing.

The same team of scientists had already discovered one enzyme which eats PET called PETase, paving the way for a revolution in recycling.

This enzyme has now been combined with MHETase which is found in the rubbish-dwelling bacteria that live on plastic bottles.

The result is a potent cocktail that breaks down plastic up to six times faster than PETase alone.

The PETase enzyme has been combined with MHETase which is found in rubbish-dwelling bacteria that live on plastic bottles. Aaron McGeehan
The PETase enzyme has been combined with MHETase which is found in rubbish-dwelling bacteria that live on plastic bottles. Aaron McGeehan

Prof John McGeehan of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation at the University of Portsmouth, who led the study, said that it “seemed natural to see if we could use [PETase and MHETase] together, mimicking what happens in nature.”

“Our first experiments showed that they did indeed work better together, so we decided to try to physically link them, like two Pac-men joined by a piece of string,” he said.

The enzymes were studied using Diamond Light Source, a device which harnesses intense beams of X-rays that are 10 billion times brighter than the sun, to observe individual atoms.

The super-enzyme raises the prospect of a step change in the battle against plastic waste, a global blight which has so far proved intractable.

"This is quite a significant leap forward because the plastic that ends up in our oceans today is going to take hundreds of years to break down naturally," Prof McGeehan told PA.

"[Eventually] through sunlight and wave action, it will start to break down into smaller and smaller pieces – and we will end up with microplastics, which is a serious problem for the organisms that live in the environment."

By returning plastic to its original building blocks, it can be made and reused endlessly, reducing reliance on fossil fuels such as oil and gas.

The auspicious discovery also opens up “new avenues for further improvements” said Prof McGeehan. His team is now looking for ways to expedite the process so it can compete with oil.

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According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.

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Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

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Afghanistan v Zimbabwe, Abu Dhabi Sunshine Series

All matches at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi

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2nd Test: Wednesday, 10 March – Sunday, 14 March

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Establish logistics and systems needed to globally deploy vaccines


Intermediate term

Build biomedical workforces in low- and middle-income nations


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