German researchers have discovered a strain of bacteria that not only breaks down toxic plastic, but also uses it as food to fuel the process. The strain of bacteria, known as pseudomonas bacteria was discovered from a dumpsite stuffed with plastic waste, where researchers observed that it was attacking polyurethane. The heat resistance properties of polyurethane make it difficult to meltdown. Therefore, they are often dumped into landfills across the world where its slow degeneration releases toxic. In an experiment, when the bacterias were given the key elements of the polyurethane, they used these elements as a single source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy. However, researchers believe more such research is required before they make this breakthrough for commercial purposes.
