Researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo found that reducing carbon dioxide concentration to about 1.4% by volume significantly increased microbial production of the biodegradable plastic P(3HB) using hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria. The process uses a nonflammable gas mixture, improving safety over conventional systems that require high hydrogen concentrations. The team discovered that lower CO2 levels trigger adaptive cellular responses that improve carbon utilization efficiency. Enhancing the carbonic anhydrase enzyme further boosted plastic accumulation under low CO2 conditions. The approach could enable conversion of low-concentration CO2 sources like exhaust gases into eco-friendly materials, supporting a circular carbon economy.
