plastic waste has prompted innovative solutions to mitigate its environmental impact. Recent advancements in biotechnology have demonstrated the potential of modified bacteria to transform discarded plastics into valuable pharmaceuticals. Specifically, researchers at the University of Edinburgh have engineered “E. coli” to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into paracetamol, a widely used pain reliever . This groundbreaking approach not only addresses plastic waste but also offers a sustainable pathway for producing essential medications traditionally derived from fossil fuels.
Dealing with plastic waste is a real headache. But with a little help, bacteria can turn plastic into a painkiller.
coli bacteria converted a broken-down plastic bottle into the active ingredient in pain medicines like Tylenol and Panadol, scientists report June 23 in Nature Chemistry.
The approach could help reduce plastic pollution and curb reliance on the fossil fuels now used to make the ubiquitous medication. “I genuinely think this is quite an exciting sort of starting point for plastic waste upcycling,” says Stephen Wallace, an engineering biologist at the University of Edinburgh.
Plastic comes into play at the very start of the process. PET — widely used in beverage containers — is broken down into one of its basic components, which is then converted into a molecule capable of triggering the chemical reaction inside the bacteria. From there, the microorganisms transform that molecule into a key ingredient, and finally into paracetamol.
University of Houston who was not involved in the study. Designing a single organism that can both break down plastic directly and turn it into useful materials is challenging, he says, but “this fundamental study will be a stepping stone in the right direction.
The engineered bacteria exhibit an impressive 92% conversion rate of plastic waste into paracetamol within just 48 hours . The process employs a synthetic chemical reaction known as Lossen rearrangement to convert molecules derived from PET into para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which is subsequently transformed into paracetamol through additional enzymatic reactions. This method not only highlights the potential for recycling plastics but also presents a sustainable alternative to traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing processes that rely heavily on non-renewable resources.
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