Microbes from humics lakes produced omega-3 fatty acids from microplastics

(University of Jyv ä skyl ä - Jyv ä skyl ä n yliopisto) The environmental fate of microplastics has been difficult to trace. A research group led by the University of Jyv ä skyl ä used carbon isotope labeling to follow the fate of polyethylene in the food chain. For the surprise of the researchers, plastic carbon was transformed even to beneficial fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, by the microbes originating from humic lakes. The research was published in Scientific Reports series at the end of December 2019.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news