Australian Scientists Make Enzymes That Gobble up Plastics Like ‘Pac-Man’

Australian Scientists Make Enzymes That Gobble up Plastics Like ‘Pac-Man’
Plastics may soon be able to be recycled infinitely. Illustration - Shutterstock
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Researchers in Australia are developing a plastic-eating enzyme resembling the pellet-eating “Pac-man,” but the former may divert plastic from our oceans and landfills instead of merely winning you the satisfaction of a game.

Enzymes are complex molecules that can speed up chemical reactions. For example, human saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks down the complex chemicals in the food we eat into simpler ones.

Jessie Zhang
Jessie Zhang
Author
Jessie Zhang is a reporter based in Sydney, Australia, covering news on health and science.
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