Mohamad-Ali Salloum is a Pharmacist and science writer. He loves simplifying science to the general public and healthcare students through words and illustrations. When he's not working, you can usually find him in the gym, reading a book, or learning a new skill.
Plastic-eating Bacteria?
Mohamad Ali Salloum, PharmD • January 6, 2022
Share
What are these bacteria? And how do they eat plastic?
Plastic-eating bacteria,
Of course, you’ve heard about the bacteria that can eat grass and meat. But Plastic-eating bacteria??
I bet that’s new to you!
This bacterium is called Ideonella Sakaiensis.
How did scientists find about it?
They were running tests on a plastic bottle that they collected from a plastic recycling factory in Japan. They observed the sample under the microscope and found Ideonella Sakaiensis, Protozoa, and yeasts.
It is a rod-shaped bacterium, and it has a flagellum.
The question is that how on earth this bacterium can eat plastic?
Plastic is a result of the Industrial Revolution that happened a century ago and is not part of nature.
Another question that might pop up is that how these bacteria developed a mechanism to digest the plastic?
Today we’re going to talk about how it does the digestion.
There is a type of plastic called Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), and it is a transparent, strong, and light-weight plastic. It is used in the manufacturing of plastic bottles.
Ideonella Sakaiensis releases an enzyme called PETase where this enzyme can break down PET into MHET.
Also, this bacterium has an enzyme called MHETase on its surface, where this enzyme can breakdown the MHET into 2 components:
- Ethylene Glycol
- Terephthalic acid (TPA)
Then this bacterium takes up these 2 compounds and uses them for its metabolism and convert them for its own use. The end result is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) where it is released into the air.
This bacterium is not alone. There are also Plastic-eating Fungi that were discovered in a dumpster in Pakistan.
While reading this article, I think some of you will directly think of a commercial use for this bacterium, like spraying it on dumpsters and watch plastic wastes disappear. But there is a long way for this to happen and may not even be used as we think.
The metabolism of the plastic by this bacterium is still very slow and scientists are trying to fasten up the process by editing its genes. Finger-crossed not to create a monster 😊
The other matter that we should think of is that getting rid of plastics that way may cause a disruption in the environmental balance and may lead to an environmental crisis if not managed and calculated well.
Feel free to watch the below video for better understanding of the mechanism of plastic-digestion.
List of Services
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mohamad-Ali Salloum, PharmD
Share
Recent articles:
References: Qiang S, Wu J, Zheng D, et al. The effect of stress mindset on psychological pain: the chain mediating roles of cognitive reappraisal and self-identity. Front Psychol. 2025;16. 1 Bosshard M, Gomez P. Effectiveness of stress arousal reappraisal and stressisenhancing mindset interventions on task performance outcomes: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2024. 2 Zhao S, Chen P, Jin L, et al. Unlocking Emotional Well-Being: Evaluation of a Stress Mindset Intervention With a Metacognitive Approach. Emotion. 2025;25(5):1169–1184. 4 Meyer HH, Stutts LA. The Effect of Mindset Interventions on Stress and Academic Motivation in College Students. Innov High Educ. 2024;49:783–798. 7 Crum AJ, Santoro E, Handley-Miner I, et al. Evaluation of the “Rethink Stress” Mindset Intervention: A Metacognitive Approach to Changing Mindsets. J Exp Psychol Gen. 2023. 3 Laferton JAC, Fischer S, Ebert DD, et al. The Effects of Stress Beliefs on Daily Affective Stress Responses. Ann Behav Med. 2020;54(4):258–267. 5 UCSF Stress Measurement Network. Beliefs about Stress . 2026. 6 
References: Qiang S, Wu J, Zheng D, et al. The effect of stress mindset on psychological pain: the chain mediating roles of cognitive reappraisal and self-identity. Front Psychol. 2025;16. 1 Bosshard M, Gomez P. Effectiveness of stress arousal reappraisal and stressisenhancing mindset interventions on task performance outcomes: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2024. 2 Zhao S, Chen P, Jin L, et al. Unlocking Emotional Well-Being: Evaluation of a Stress Mindset Intervention With a Metacognitive Approach. Emotion. 2025;25(5):1169–1184. 4 Meyer HH, Stutts LA. The Effect of Mindset Interventions on Stress and Academic Motivation in College Students. Innov High Educ. 2024;49:783–798. 7 Crum AJ, Santoro E, Handley-Miner I, et al. Evaluation of the “Rethink Stress” Mindset Intervention: A Metacognitive Approach to Changing Mindsets. J Exp Psychol Gen. 2023. 3 Laferton JAC, Fischer S, Ebert DD, et al. The Effects of Stress Beliefs on Daily Affective Stress Responses. Ann Behav Med. 2020;54(4):258–267. 5 UCSF Stress Measurement Network. Beliefs about Stress . 2026. 6
A clear, evidence‑based guide to Ramadan fasting, explaining its metabolic, mental, and cardiometabolic benefits, plus practical nutrition, hydration, sleep, and medication strategies for healthy adults and high‑risk patients.
A practical guide to shifting from blaming “human error” to applying ICH GCP E6(R3) system‑level quality, Quality by Design, and risk‑based oversight to prevent repeat deviations in clinical trials.
Learn 5 Whys and Fishbone (Ishikawa) for Root Cause Analysis in clinical research, with practical examples and an interactive quiz—no fluff, just clarity.
A clear, practical guide to CAPA for Clinical Research Associates—covering corrective and preventive actions, real‑world scenarios, and an interactive quiz to reinforce learning.
Boost your health with a simple 30‑minute morning walk backed by science—better heart health, mood, sleep, and energy.
References: Gunes IB, Gunes A. Association Between Eyelid Twitching and Digital Screen Time, Uncorrected Refractive Error, Intraocular Pressure, and Blood Electrolyte Imbalances. Cureus . 2024;16(9):e69249. Available from: https://www.cureus.com/articles/291035-association-between-eyelid-twitching-and-digital-screen-time-uncorrected-refractive-error-intraocular-pressure-and-blood-electrolyte-imbalances Banik R, Miller NR. Chronic myokymia limited to the eyelid is a benign condition. J Neuroophthalmol . 2004;24(4):290–2. Available from: https://scholars.mssm.edu/en/publications/chronic-myokymia-limited-to-the-eyelid-is-a-benign-condition-2 Hallett M. Blepharospasm: recent advances. Neurology . 2002;59(11):1759–60. Available from: https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/12434791 Defazio G, Livrea P. Epidemiology of primary blepharospasm. Mov Disord . 2002;17(1):7–12. Available from: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/11835433 Zeppieri M, Ameer MA, Jahngir MU, Patel BC. Meige Syndrome. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/30020730 Zhang Y, Adamec I, Habek M. Superior oblique myokymia: a meta-analysis. J Ophthalmol . 2018;2018:7290547. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/7290547 Costa J, Espírito-Santo C, Borges A, et al. Botulinum toxin type A therapy for blepharospasm. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2020;11:CD004900. Available from: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004900.pub2/abstract Khalkhali M. Topiramate-induced persistent eyelid myokymia. Case Rep Psychiatry . 2016;2016:7901085. Available from: https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4886081/
References: Sen A, Tai XY. Sleep duration and executive function in adults. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2023;23:801–813. [link.springer.com] Nature Research Intelligence. Sleep deprivation and cognitive performance. Nature Portfolio. 2023. Available from: https://www.nature.com/… [nature.com] Skourti E, Simos P, Zampetakis A, et al. Long-term associations between objective sleep and verbal memory performance. Front Neurosci. 2023;17:1265016. [frontiersin.org] Hauglund NL, Andersen M, Tokarska K, et al. Norepinephrine‑mediated slow vasomotion drives glymphatic clearance during sleep. Cell. 2025;188(3):606‑622.e17. [cell.com] Shirolapov IV, Zakharov AV, Smirnova DA, et al. The role of the glymphatic clearance system in sleep–wake interactions and neurodegeneration. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2024;54:199–204. [link.springer.com] Kong Y, Yu B, Guan G, et al. Effects of sleep deprivation on sports performance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Physiol. 2025;16:1544286. [frontiersin.org] Gong M, Sun M, Sun Y, et al. Effects of acute sleep deprivation on sporting performance in athletes. Nat Sci Sleep. 2024;16:—. [tandfonline.com] Dean B, Hartmann T, Wingfield G, et al. Sleep restriction between consecutive days of exercise impairs cycling performance. J Sleep Res. 2023;32(3):e13857. [onlinelibr....wiley.com] Mah CD, Mah KE, Kezirian EJ, Dement WC. The effects of sleep extension on athletic performance in collegiate basketball players. Sleep. 2011;34(7):943–950. [psycnet.apa.org] Cunha LA, Costa JA, Marques EA, et al. Impact of sleep interventions on athletic performance: a systematic review. Sports Med Open. 2023;9:58. [link.springer.com] Teece AR, Beaven CM, Argus CK, et al. Daytime naps improve afternoon power and perceptual measures in elite rugby union athletes. Sleep. 2023;46(12):zsad133. [academic.oup.com] Mesas AE, Núñez de Arenas-Arroyo S, Martinez-Vizcaino V, et al. Daytime napping and cognitive/physical sport performance: meta-analysis of RCTs. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(7):417–27. [bjsm.bmj.com] Haines Roberts SS, Teo WP, Warmington SA. Effects of training and competition on the sleep of elite athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2019;53(8):513–522. [bjsm.bmj.com] Walsh NP, Halson SL, Sargent C, et al. Sleep and the athlete: 2021 expert consensus recommendations. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(7):356–368. [bjsm.bmj.com] Janse van Rensburg DC, Fowler PM, Racinais S. Practical tips to manage travel fatigue and jet lag in athletes. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(15):821–822. [bjsm.bmj.com] Watson NF, Badr MS, Belenky G, et al. Recommended amount of sleep for a healthy adult: AASM/SRS consensus statement. Sleep. 2015;38(6):843–844. [aasm.org] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FastStats: Sleep in adults. CDC. 2024. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/… [cdc.gov]