Even after passing through water treatment plants, phosphates from laundry and dishwasher detergents still find their way into rivers, ponds and lakes, where can trigger widespread growth of algae that saps the water’s oxygen, reduces water tension and decreases biodiversity. Now, scientists at Newcastle University have discovered an enzyme which acts as a powerful, natural cleaner, in place of harmful phosphates. The phosphodiesterase enzyme is used by bacteria to break down ‘sticky’ molecules found on the surface of seaweed and helps the bacteria to unstick themselves from the seaweed. The university team, led by Professor Grant Burgess and Dr Michael Hall, worked in conjunction with Proctor & Gamble to isolate the enzyme and demonstrate its effectiveness as a cleaner. According to Dr Burgess, this is a "wonderful example of borrowing a cleaning idea from Mother Nature."