Groningen Researcher Harnesses Bacterial Enzymes to Break Down Plastics and Clean Up Environments

Groningen Researcher Harnesses Bacterial Enzymes to Break Down Plastics and Clean Up Environments

(IN BRIEF) Edita Jurak, a biochemical technologist at the University of Groningen, is leading research on how bacteria-derived enzymes can be used to break down plastics sustainably and effectively. Her work, part of a wider initiative in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, focuses on using enzymes—rather than whole bacteria—to degrade plastics like PVC and medical waste, with the aim of reusing polymer fragments to build new or improved materials. These enzymes work at low temperatures, without harmful solvents, making them a greener alternative to chemical recycling. Jurak’s team is also exploring applications in hospitals and polluted environments, showing that bacteria already found in Groningen lakes are naturally reducing microplastic levels. While regulatory and technical barriers remain, her research paves the way for a future where enzymes play a major role in plastic recycling and environmental cleanup.

(PRESS RELEASE) GRONINGEN, 14-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — At the University of Groningen, biochemical technologist Edita Jurak is exploring how bacteria—and more specifically, their enzymes—can help tackle the global plastic waste crisis. As part of a broader initiative in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Jurak’s research zeroes in on natural enzymes that can break down plastics into reusable components, offering a promising alternative to traditional recycling methods.

Edita Jurak and her team combined different kinds of plastic, water and sand from a lake together in a bottle, and after 14 days they could see bacterial growth and cracks in the plastic (circled part). | Image Edita Jurak and Michaela van Niekerk

“I’ve discovered bacteria in local Groningen lakes that can survive on plastic,” Jurak explains. “These microbes produce enzymes capable of degrading plastic into carbon dioxide and water.” While the bacteria themselves struggle to digest large plastic pieces, their enzymes can be extracted and used directly on waste materials, initiating the breakdown process more efficiently.

The plastic wrapper of a six-pack was exposed to microorganisms from a lake, which caused discoloration. That may have been caused by degradation of the colorants, but this has not yet been confirmed. | Image Edita Jurak and Michaela van Niekerk

One key advantage of using enzymes over chemical recycling is sustainability. Enzymes operate at lower temperatures and don’t rely on toxic solvents, making them a greener and more cost-effective option. Jurak’s lab has observed promising early signs of plastic degradation—bacterial growth and cracking—after exposing plastic samples to water and sand from natural environments.

This scanning electron microscopy picture confirms that bacteria can adhere to a plastic surface. This is a prerequisite for modifying solid plastics. | Image Dr. Diego Ribas Gomes and Michaela van Niekerk

Rather than allowing the process to continue to the point of full mineralization, Jurak often stops the enzymes early to retain the plastic’s polymer fragments. These fragments can then be chemically modified with reactive linkers and used to recreate the original plastic or engineer entirely new materials with novel properties. However, reusing these inert fragments remains a technical challenge that her team continues to address.

Jurak also works with complex materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a difficult-to-recycle plastic that produces hydrochloric acid when broken down. “I’ve identified enzymes that can remove chlorine, which could significantly improve PVC recycling,” she notes.

In addition to environmental applications, Jurak’s research extends into healthcare. At the UMCG hospital in Groningen, operating rooms generate large volumes of plastic waste from sterile packaging and instruments. This mixed waste, which contains various plastics and chemical additives, is currently incinerated due to regulations. Jurak has been searching for enzyme combinations capable of breaking down this waste stream. “Each enzyme targets a specific material, so we need a tailored mix to handle such complexity,” she says.

While this hospital-based solution may still be a decade away due to technical and legal hurdles, the proof-of-concept results are encouraging. Moreover, enzymes similar to those Jurak is studying are already used in everyday products like laundry detergents, reinforcing their safety and utility.

Beyond the lab and clinic, these bacterial enzymes show promise in environmental remediation. Jurak’s team found that lakes where plastic-degrading bacteria naturally thrive contain fewer microplastics, indicating that nature may already be helping to clean up the mess humans have made.

Why are bacteria eating plastics?

Bacteria have lived on our planet for billions of years, while plastics were first made about a century ago. So, how is it possible that bacteria are able to use plastics as food? Bacteria have lots of genes which produce enzymes to break stuff down and use it as food. It is likely that some of the enzymes that degrade natural food stuffs, such as starches, can also be used to break down plastics, if the chemistry of these reactions is similar. Sugars and plastics are both built out of carbon atoms, which probably explains the plastic-eating bacteria.

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SOURCE: University of Groningen