Engineered algae to capture microplastics in water

Microplastics are difficult to intercept because many particles are tiny and dispersed through water. At the University of Missouri, researchers are studying modified algae that bind to those particles and make them easier to collect.

According to the university's release, the algae were engineered to produce limonene, a compound also found in citrus fruit. This makes their surface water-repellent. When they meet similarly water-repellent microplastics, clumps form that can settle and be separated. The algae can also grow in wastewater while absorbing nutrients.

Researcher Susie Dai describes the work as still at an early stage. The longer-term aim is to integrate the process into water treatment and explore uses for the captured plastic. The university's 100-litre bioreactor is currently used for a different project involving industrial flue gas; it is not evidence that this microplastic-removal system is already operating in treatment plants.

Turning a promising experiment into a practical application will require tests with real wastewater, cost analysis, biomass management and safety assessment of the engineered algae. Preventing plastic from entering waterways remains essential in the meantime.

The cover is an AI-generated illustration, not a photograph of the research.

Source: University of Missouri, February 2, 2026.