Brazilian scientists have developed a promising new method to tackle microplastic pollution using magnetic nanoparticles. By combining iron oxide nanoparticles with biological enzymes and adhesive polydopamine, they’ve created a material that can effectively remove microplastics from water. The nanoparticles, aided by polydopamine, cling to dissolved microplastics, while lipase enzymes break down PET—the main component of plastic bottles—into simpler materials, making recycling easier. Once the chemical reaction is complete, the unwanted particles are removed from the water using magnets. This cost-effective water purification technology is focused on PET plastics, but additional enzymes will be needed to target other polymers, such as nylon and polyamide, to further expand its potential