Scientists harness worm gut bacteria to dissolve plastics

A TEAM of scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore has isolated a worm gut bacteria that can break down plastics, a potential solution to the global plastic pollution problem.

Previous studies have shown that Zophobas atratus worms — the larvae of the darkling beetle commonly sold as pet food and known as "superworms" for their nutritional value — can survive on a diet of plastic because their gut contains bacteria capable of breaking down common types of plastics.