Scientists turn plastic bottles and corn waste into protein-rich cookies

Researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU Carbondale) are working on a technology that turns plastic waste from a water bottle into part of a cookie. For this, they programmed yeasts to convert material from plastic waste and agricultural waste into proteins, fats, acids, vitamins and flavouring molecules.The protein-rich cookies have been named 'µBites', pronounced 'microbites'. According to the American Chemical Society, the main materials used to make them include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, the type commonly used for soda and water bottles, along with discarded corn stalks and leaves.Researchers of the project say the approach could also help address plastic waste, apart from food shortages. Lahiru Jayakody, an associate professor at SIU Carbondale, said the team was initially looking at ways to turn plastic waste into more valuable products. “We thought, why not focus on making food?