Microplastics are one of the biggest environmental problems of the 21st century: plastic particles under 5 millimeters are found in oceans, rivers, rain and even in the air. The new scientific discovery - plastic "hunters" from peptides - radically changes the battle with this global pollution. "Peptides are protein molecules that can specifically bind and break down plastic particles into harmless components," explain the scientists.
International studies confirm: these innovative molecules act as selective "magnets" for microplastics. After incubation with a water sample, they capture up to 94% of the most dangerous plastic fragments. Most peptides are designed to degrade in nature, making the method completely safe.
"Plastic hunters" are inspired by the study of enzymes against nylon and PET - they are synthesized in laboratory conditions through genetic engineering and nanotechnology. The first tests show excellent results not only in a laboratory environment, but also in real river and lake waters.
According to an analysis by the World Wide Fund for Nature, microplastic pollution is a major threat to marine and freshwater ecosystems. With every washing of clothes or use of plastic packaging, billions of microparticles enter the water. "One tablet with peptide hunters can process 10,000 liters of water in just 48 hours," comment the developers.
An important advantage is that the technology is cheap and scalable: it is expected to be soon implemented in urban water treatment plants and industrial processes. Modular devices with peptide filters are already being tested in Asia and Europe, and the global patent guarantees a rapid expansion of the application.
Experts are categorical: "This is a boom in synthetic biology and a step towards clean water for all." Plastic hunters promise a revolution in ecology - a technology that will change our future.