microbial-biotechnology
Microbial biotechnology applies the tools of molecular biology and genetic engineering to harness microorganisms for practical purposes, including the development of beneficial microbes that promote plant growth, enhance nutrient uptake, and suppress disease. In plant science, this field is central to developing sustainable agricultural solutions—such as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents—that reduce dependence on chemical inputs while improving crop resilience and yield.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-04-01
Scientists discovered a way to turn used biodegradable plastics — like compostable packaging — into a new, useful bioplastic by feeding them to bacteria. This creates a circular recycling loop for materials that might otherwise end up in landfills or compost bins.
Bacteria converted dissolved compostable plastic into new bioplastic with up to 32.9% yield by weight in a 5-liter bioreactor after 96 hours.
Polylactic acid (PLA, a common compostable plastic) achieved 100% dissolution efficiency and produced the highest bioplastic output at 3.69 g/L in larger bioreactor trials.
The newly produced bioplastic was thermally stable up to 250°C, suggesting it could be a high-quality, functional material suitable for real-world applications.