Plastic-eating enzyme could help in battling pollution

Scientists have developed a plastic-eating enzyme that can digest PET plastics, which are a major source of pollution. This enzyme was discovered by studying a natural enzyme from Japan and was enhanced by adding amino acids to increase its efficiency. The team aims to improve the enzyme for industrial-scale plastic recycling.

What type of plastic is the enzyme specifically designed to break down?

• Polystyrene

• Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

• Polypropylene

• Polyethylene

How long do PET plastics typically take to decompose naturally?

• A decade

• Hundreds of years

• Several years

• A few months

Where was the natural plastic-eating enzyme originally discovered?

• In a laboratory in the USA

• In a recycling plant in Japan

• In the ocean

• In a landfill in Europe

What did researchers add to the enzyme to enhance its plastic-eating capabilities?

• Minerals

• Vitamins

• Amino acids

• Proteins

What is the main goal of the research team moving forward?

• To improve the enzyme for industrial-scale use

• To stop plastic production

• To create a new type of plastic

• To patent the enzyme