Northwestern University
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Plastic-Eating Bacteria Discovered in Urban Waterways
Researchers from NorthWestern University have discovered plastic-eating bacteria in urban waterways, which could revolutionize efforts to tackle plastic pollution. These bacteria belong to the Comamonadaceae family, commonly found in environments like rivers and wastewater systems. For years, it was known that these bacteria grew on plastic waste, but the exact mechanisms behind their ability to break down plastic were unclear—until now.The Bacteria: Comamonas testosteroni.These bacteria break down plastics like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is commonly used in food packaging and beverage bottles. PET plastics account for 12% of global plastic usage and contribute to as much as 50% of microplastics in wastewater.
The Process of Plastic Breakdown: The research revealed a three-step process that the Comamonas bacteria use to degrade plastic:
1. Fragmentation: The bacteria first "chew" the plastic into tiny particles called nanoplastics.
2. Enzyme Secretion: The bacteria then secrete a specialized enzyme that further breaks the plastic down into its molecular building blocks.
3. Assimilation: Finally, the bacteria use these small carbon-based molecules as a food source.
By breaking down plastic into carbon atoms, the bacteria can feed on it as they would with any other organic material. The discovery that bacteria can fully degrade and consume plastic opens the door to potential biotechnological solutions for plastic pollution.
Experimental Methods; The researchers conducted experiments by growing C. testosteroni on PET plastic films and pellets. Using advanced microscopy, they observed how the surface of the plastic deteriorated over time. They also found that the bacteria were capable of breaking microplastics down into even smaller nanoparticles. This confirmed the bacteria's ability to process PET from large fragments to its molecular components.
The research team also used “omics” techniques to analyze the enzymes involved in this degradation process. They identified a specific enzyme that the bacteria produced when exposed to PET. Further experiments showed that when the bacteria were genetically modified to stop producing this enzyme, their ability to degrade plastic was significantly reduced or eliminated.
Implications for Plastic Waste Management; This discovery is groundbreaking because it provides insight into how bacteria in wastewater systems interact with plastics, which are notoriously difficult to degrade. As most people believe that microplastics and nanoplastics enter water systems in their small, fragmented form, this research shows that nanoplastics can also be formed during the wastewater treatment process through bacterial activity.
Potential applications; The bacteria’s ability to degrade plastics could lead to engineered solutions for managing plastic waste more effectively. Harnessing this bacteria's enzymes could enable the creation of systems or processes to break down plastics in contaminated environments, such as wastewater treatment plants, rivers, and landfills.
The research represents an important step toward using bacteria to clean up the environment. By optimizing this bacterial process, scientists might develop new methods to tackle the growing problem of plastic pollution, especially in hard-to-reach areas like urban waterways.
In conclusion the discovery of Comamonas testosteroni's ability to break down plastic could significantly change how we approach the plastic pollution crisis. By understanding and potentially enhancing this process, we could develop bacteria-based systems to degrade plastics in the environment. This represents a promising future for bioremediation and sustainability, offering a new tool to address one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The research was published in Environmental Science & Technology on October 3, 2024, and was supported by the National Science Foundation.

Plastic-Eating Bacteria Discovered in Urban Waterways
This discovery could pave the way for bioengineered solutions to tackle plastic waste cleanup. Researchers have long observed that a common family of environmental bacteria, Comamonadacae, grow on plastics littered throughout urban rivers and wastewater systems. But what, exactly, these Comamonas b
https://scitechdaily.com/plastic-eating-bacteria-discovered-in-urban-waterways/






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7 w
What a great idea this is that will help reduce the amount of pollution brought about by plastics.
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8 w
It’s a promising step towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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8 w
I am amazed by how much we can actually do for our planet inorder to make a difference on the issue of climate change.
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8 w
Dear Princess Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Northwestern University by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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8 w
Impressive!! This can address the pressing issue of plastic pollution and open avenues for sustainable environmental management and innovative waste treatment solutions.
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8 w
The ability of these bacteria to consume plastic could help reduce the accumulation of plastic waste, particularly in areas where waste management systems are inadequate.
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8 w
brought into use, this bacteria can help eliminate so much waste
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8 w
bring those bacteria in Africa, Kenya
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8 w
@kelvine_mwale yes, plastic landfills in Kenya are overwhelming