Scientists at the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology have made a breakthrough in plastic biodegradation research. Dr. Ryu Chung Min and his team at the institute’s Infectious Disease Research Center announced on Thursday that they have successfully developed a method to mass-produce an enzyme found in wax moth larvae that can break down plastic.
“This research opens up new possibilities of using enzymes from larvae for plastic wastes.” Dr. Ryu explained. “By harnessing the power of AI, we gained crucial insights into how the plastic-degrading enzymes work. This is the first time demonstrating the possibility of using insect-derived enzymes to process waste plastic.”
While a revolutionary invention, plastic has become a major environmental threat. OECD data reveals a staggering increase in plastic production, from 1.5 million tons in 1950 to 460 million tons in 2019, a 306-fold increase in just 70 years. If current trends persist, global annual plastic production could reach 1.28 billion tons by 2060. Simultaneously, plastic waste is increasing worldwide. About 400 million tons are expected to be generated in 2024 alone, and the figures could triple in 2060.
In 2019, the research team discovered that wax moth larvae possess the enzyme cytochrome P450, which allows them to break down polyethylene independently without relying on gut bacteria.
Building on this finding, the team has successfully produced cytochrome P450 in yeast and other insect cells suitable for mass cultivation. They also identified two distinct enzymes capable of breaking down plastic.
The scientists have established optimal cultivation conditions for yeast produced from various insect cells, paving the way for the large-scale production of insect-derived plastic-degrading enzymes. They have even created enhanced versions of the enzymes with superior biodegradation capabilities by inducing random mutations and selective breeding.
