Bacteria-Created "Petroleum-Free" Plastic: What is PDCA, Which Shows Potential to Surpass PET?

On September 4th (Japan time), Phys.org reported that a research group from Kobe University successfully produced the biodegradable plastic precursor "2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA)" at high yields using E. coli. Materials incorporating PDCA are said to demonstrate physical properties that match or exceed those of PET, which is commonly used for beverage bottles. The research, published in Metabolic Engineering, achieved production levels of 1.84 g/L in test tube scale after 72 hours and 10.6 g/L in a bioreactor after 144 hours, which is more than seven times the concentration reported previously. The key was designing a metabolic pathway that incorporates nitrogen without producing by-products. However, the process generates hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which inactivates enzymes, a problem they circumvented by adding scavengers. While this leaves challenges in terms of cost and logistics, researchers say the foundation for mass production has been laid. On social media, opinions are divided, with comments like "expectations for 3D printer applications" and "industrial scale is the focus." Implementation will require LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and standardization of decomposition conditions, but it marks a step closer to the practical use of materials that are both **“strong and degradable.”**