Research Keyword: PET waste

Microbial Consortium–Mediated Degradation of Polyethylene Terephthalate in Orthodontic Aligners: A Comprehensive Review

This review examines how microorganisms can break down plastic used in clear orthodontic aligners (PET plastic). Clear aligners are popular because they are invisible and comfortable, but patients need new ones every 1-2 weeks, creating significant plastic waste. Scientists have discovered bacteria and fungi that produce special enzymes capable of degrading this plastic into harmless components, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional disposal methods like landfilling and incineration.

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Exploring Fungal Diversity in Marine Plastic (PET) Wastes and Seafoam in Udo Island, South Korea, with Reports of Two New Species

Researchers collected fungi from plastic waste and seafoam on a South Korean island and identified 45 different types, including two completely new species never described before. These findings show that marine fungi are diverse and may help break down plastic or participate in ocean nutrient cycling. The study highlights how even seemingly temporary habitats like seafoam and pollution sources like plastic waste can harbor unique and important fungal communities.

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