Researchers have discovered microbial strains in the high altitudes of the Alps and in the polar regions that can break down biodegradable plastics at temperatures as low as 15°C (59°F). These microbes, found in the plastisphere of alpine and arctic soils, could provide a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to recycling plastic. The research team studied 19 strains of bacteria and 15 of fungi, and found that a significant number of them could degrade certain types of plastics. The most successful strains were two uncharacterized fungal species. The next step will be to identify the specific enzymes that enable plastic degradation and optimize their production and stability.
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