ScienceSeptember 1, 2026
microbites
MY-kroh-bites
Definition
A portmanteau of 'microbe' and 'bites,' specifically referring to edible food products created by using microbes to transform plastic waste materials into proteins, fats, and nutrients.
Etymology
The term is a modern blend created by researchers by combining the prefix 'micro-' (from the Greek 'mikros' meaning small, here referring to microbes) with the English word 'bites' (denoting small portions of food).
In the news
Researchers created these cookies from polyethylene terephthalate plastic processed by yeast, with the goal of providing a sustainable food source for deep-space missions.
August research roundup: 7 cool science stories we almost missed
Read the full article ↗Ars Technica