Who would have thought that worms (and bacteria, also mentioned here) could be our allies in the fight against all the waste and garbage we humans generate?
This Styrofoam-eating ‘superworm’ could help solve the garbage crisis
"In 2015, researchers from Stanford University revealed that mealworms could also survive on Styrofoam. The next year, Japanese scientists found bacteria that could eat plastic bottles. In April, researchers from the University of Texas found an enzyme which could digest polyethylene terephthalate, a plastic resin found in clothes, liquid and food containers."
However ...
"He said many researchers in this field, including the ones from Australia, will face several challenges in the years ahead. It will take time to study the gut enzymes of things like mealworms and superworms, and when they do, it is not guaranteed they can digest plastics at large levels at a very quick and efficient rate.
Rinke said he was excited by his research results but noted it will take time to develop into an industrial solution, estimating somewhere between five to 10 years."
Well, these things take time.
Hurry up and start eating, worms.
No comments:
Post a Comment