An international collaboration between Chinese scientists and researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, England may have found an answer to the rising tide of plastic pollution. A total of 184 fungal and 55 bacterial strains capable of breaking down polycaprolactone (a polymer used in plastic production) have been identified in the coastal salt marshes of Jiangsu, China. Some of the bacterial strains also have the potential to further degrade other petroleum-based polymers. Emma Keeling learns more from Professor Cai Feng who is leading the research in China, as well as Dr Irinia Druzhinia at Kew Gardens.
