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Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed an innovative method to convert plastic bottle waste into paracetamol, one of the world’s most widely used painkillers. This breakthrough harnesses the capabilities of genetically engineered E. coli bacteria to transform discarded polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly found in drink bottles and food packaging, into a valuable pharmaceutical product.
The method addresses two pressing global concerns: the rising issue of plastic pollution and the need for sustainable pharmaceutical production. The process is efficient, taking less than 24 hours to complete at room temperature and emitting no carbon emissions, setting it apart from traditional drug manufacturing techniques.
The research involves chemically treating PET waste before introducing it to specially modified E. coli. The bacteria break down the plastic into terephthalic acid, a crucial component for further transformation. This compound undergoes a chemical reaction known as the Lossen rearrangement, producing para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), which not only serves as an intermediate in the conversion but also supports bacterial growth. The engineered metabolic pathways within the bacteria then convert PABA into paracetamol, achieving a remarkable conversion rate of approximately 90 percent from the plastic-derived terephthalic acid.
Published in the journal Nature Chemistry, this study highlights both the technical feasibility and the potential for scaling the process to meet future demands. While the method is not yet ready for commercial application, there are plans to collaborate with major pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca, to further develop these findings into practical solutions.
As July is recognized as Plastic Free July, this scientific advancement underscores the importance of innovative approaches to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy. The research exemplifies how advancements in biotechnology can simultaneously address the challenges of plastic pollution and the environmentally intensive nature of conventional pharmaceutical production.
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