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As the planet heats and governments race toward net zero, a researcher at Meiji University in Tokyo is working to develop plastic using algae and photosynthesis to help reduce reliance on our depleting fossil fuel reserves.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, virtually all plastic ever created by human beings still exists and will take between 500 and 1,000 years to degrade. Even so, it doesn’t fully decompose; instead, it breaks down into microplastics. The U.N. Environmental Program’s study uncovered an annual loss of approximately 3 million tons of microplastics to the environment. We have found these minute particles everywhere, from the top of Mount Everest to the deepest ocean trenches, permeating our food chains, water sources, and bodies.
Making Plastic Using Algae – A Sustainable Solution
Takashi Osanai is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture at Meiji University. He is searching for substitutes for plastics made from fossil fuels. Osanai is focusing on biomass plastics. These are biodegradable materials derived from organisms. Some biomass plastics come from plants like corn. However, Osanai notes that corn is an edible crop and is quite costly. Instead, he is exploring the feasibility of producing plastic from algae.
Osanai explains that cyanobacteria—commonly known as algae—and microalgae use CO2 and sunlight to create sugar via photosynthesis. He says that fermentation—incubating microalgae and cyanobacteria under anaerobic conditions—enables these organisms to produce carboxylic acids such as succinate, acetate, and lactate outside of the cells. These carboxylic acids are valuable chemicals used in bioplastics, allowing these organisms to convert CO2 into bioplastics.
While the conversion of CO2 into plastic water bottles is a significant advancement, the commercial viability of biomass plastics hinges on their affordability, both in terms of cost and scale. Osanai and his team at Meiji University continue to explore innovative solutions to address the global plastic crisis, leveraging the power of algae and photosynthesis.
To learn more about Meiji University’s groundbreaking research in sustainable plastics, visit https://www.meiji.ac.jp/cip/english/incredible-senseis
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