Fungi From Trash: The Hidden Pharmacy in Our Oceans

The ocean is full of tiny plastic bits. These bits are not just litter. They are home to fungi. These fungi could be the key to new medicines. This is because they live in a unique place. The place is called the plastisphere. It is the world of microbes that live on marine plastic debris. Scientists have found that these fungi have special powers. They can help bones grow and fight viruses. The Mediterranean Sea is full of these tiny plastic bits. Scientists took fungi from these bits. They grew the fungi in two ways. One way was like a solid cake. The other was like a soup. They then tested these fungi. They wanted to see if they could help bones grow. They also wanted to see if they could fight viruses. Some fungi did amazing things. They helped bones grow in fish larvae. They also fought viruses that affect humans. Two fungi stood out. They were Aspergillus jensenii and Cladosporium halotolerans. They were the best at helping bones grow. Another fungus, Bjerkandera adusta, was great at fighting viruses. It fought two viruses: RSV and HSV-2. It did not hurt the cells it was tested on. Scientists found special chemicals in one of the fungi. They were called decumbenones A and B. But these chemicals did not do the same things as the fungi. This means there are other chemicals or a mix of chemicals that do the work. The scientists think there is more to find. They want to break down the fungi more. They want to find out what makes them so special. The plastisphere is a goldmine. It is full of potential medicines. But it is also a mess. It is full of plastic trash. This is a big problem. But it also has a big opportunity. Scientists can find new medicines. But they also need to clean up the ocean. It is a tough job. But it is worth it. The ocean is full of secrets. And these secrets could save lives.

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