Scientists discovered Amazon fungus that eats plastic even without oxygen

Deep within the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, scientists discovered a fungus with an extraordinary ability that could offer new clues in the fight against plastic pollution. Known as Pestalotiopsis microspora, the fungus can break down polyester polyurethane, a widely used type of plastic, and use it as a source of carbon. Even more remarkably, laboratory research found that strains of the fungus could degrade the material without oxygen. The discovery, reported by Yale University researchers in 2011, attracted attention because landfills can contain oxygen-poor environments where biological degradation is difficult. The findings opened an intriguing avenue of research into whether fungi and their enzymes could eventually contribute to new methods of managing persistent plastic waste.Scientists discovered the plastic-eating fungus deep in the Amazon rainforestThe discovery emerged from research involving Yale University students who travelled to Ecuador as part of the university's Rainforest Expedition and Laboratory programme.