Ideonella
| Ideonella | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | Ideonella Malmqvist et al. 1994, gen. nov.[1]
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| Type species | |
| Ideonella dechloratans[1] | |
| Species | |
Ideonella is a genus of Comamonadaceae bacteria.[2]
Applications
Ideonella sakaiensis
In 2016 I. sakaiensis was shown to degrade PET, a polymer widely used in food containers, bottles and synthetic fibers. Adhered to a low-grade PET film, the bacteria used two novel enzymes to decompose the plastic into two environmentally benign substances, which served as their main food source.[3]
A colony of I. sakaiensis could completely degrade a low-grade plastic water bottle in six weeks. Higher-grade PET products would require heating and cooling to weaken it before bacteria could start eating.[3]
The bacteria could also be used to reduce industrial waste during plastics manufacturing.[3]
References
- ^ a b A.C. Parte. "Ideonella". Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- ^ "Ideonella". Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- ^ a b c Long, Kat (March 10, 2016). "New Species of Bacteria Eats Plastic". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
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