Researchers Develop Sustainable Bioplastic from Potato Starch

Researchers at the University of Barcelona (UB) have engineered the bacterium Bacillus subtilis to produce a high-value, biodegradable bioplastic. By utilizing unprocessed potato starch as a low-cost, renewable feedstock, the team successfully created polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)—a biodegradable polymer—through a streamlined, single-step process completed within 24 hours.

The study, published in Bioresource Technology and led by Professor Pere Picart, addresses the limitations of previous attempts to use this bacterium for bioplastic production. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, the team effectively optimized the bacterium's metabolic pathways. This innovation overcame previous yield bottlenecks, allowing for high accumulation of the polymer and demonstrating that B. subtilis is a robust, industrially viable platform for eco-friendly material synthesis.

This advancement offers a promising alternative to petrochemical-based plastics, which are a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions and persistent environmental pollution. By using agricultural by-products like potato starch, the researchers hope to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and foster a circular economy, providing a scalable, sustainable solution to the world's growing plastic waste crisis.

For more details, read the article in UB Current Events.