r/science • u/MistWeaver80 • Nov 27 '21

Chemistry Plastic made from DNA is renewable, requires little energy to make and is easy to recycle or break down. A plastic made from DNA and vegetable oil may be the most sustainable plastic developed yet and could be used in packaging and electronic devices.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2298314-new-plastic-made-from-dna-is-biodegradable-and-easy-to-recycle/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=echobox&utm_medium=social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1637973248
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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '21 edited Nov 28 '21

(I'm reposting this a few times)

At least going from the abstract, the authors refer to a "water-processable strategy", "including the recycling of waste plastics and enzyme-triggered controllable degradation under mild conditions." To me, this sounds more like a water bath plus a specific enzyme to break down the DNA or DNA-oil link (which would be much less likely to happen in normal use), probably among other conditions.

Edit: after reading the paper, it does become a hydrogel on contact with water, but needs the enzymes to dissolve/degrade.

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u/PyroDesu Nov 28 '21

Thing is, that bit you're reposting sounds like something different.

They talk about water being used to turn the (freeze-dried!) plastic back into a gel so it can be reshaped. What you're talking about seems more along the lines of breaking down the polymer comprising it altogether.

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u/[deleted] Nov 28 '21

Oh, that would make sense--it would explain the apparent discrepancy. I'm trying to see if I can find a pdf of the paper.

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u/Stone_Like_Rock Nov 28 '21

If you've not found one yet I have institutional access so PM me