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Washing plastic particles for uniformity v1
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This paper points out that some studies on bacteria growing on plastic may mistake bacteria feeding on leftover chemicals or contaminants for actual plastic breakdown. It describes a simple washing method for cleaning plastic particles of different sizes before such experiments, to help ensure more accurate results.
Multiple papers exploring bacterial growth on plastic substrates fail to consider the oligormers, additives, and contaminating substrates which may be used by bacteria for growth, falsely suggesting the ability to degrade polymeric plastic. This is a simple washing protocol plastic substrates in particles of various sizes.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.