Common bacteria could turn plastic waste into painkillers, study finds
Scientists have discovered that a strain of common faecal bacteria can convert plastic waste into the drug paracetamol, a finding that could lead to new recycling methods.
Exposure to tiny plastic fragments, called microplastics, is linked to a range of health issues, like hormonal disruption and several types of cancer.
Scientists have been experimenting with various methods to sustainably recycle plastic waste. Of the methods they have tested, the use of bacteria and their enzymes to produce desirable small molecules from plastic waste has shown promise.
Microbes have a 'toolbox' of highly active chemicals integral to their metabolism which scientists hope to harness for the production of a range of industrial small molecules.
Using microbes and their metabolic chemicals in different industries could lower the existing chemical manufacturing routes that heavily rely on diminishing fossil fuels.
Scientists have found that a type of chemical reaction which takes place in living cells can be catalysed by phosphate molecules present in the gut bacteria E coli, known to cause urinary tract infections and gastric ailments.
This chemical reaction, known as Lossen rearrangement, produces a type of nitrogen-containing organic compound essential for cell metabolism.
'The reaction occurs in vivo, under ambient conditions, is non-toxic to E coli and is catalysed by phosphate in cells,' scientists explained.
In a study published on Sunday in the journal Nature Chemistry, researchers used various methods to degrade polyethylene terephthalate plastic bottles to produce the starting molecule needed for the Lossen rearrangement chemical reaction. They showed that the metabolic process inside cells could then remediate PET.
Researchers revealed this plastic-derived molecule could be used as a starting material for producing paracetamol in E coli with a 92 per cent yield.
This is the first time paracetamol has been produced from E coli using a waste product.
'The Lossen rearrangement substrate can also be synthesised from polyethylene terephthalate and applied to whole-cell biocatalytic reactions and fermentations generating industrial small molecules, including the drug paracetamol,' scientists said.
Researchers hope the new technique could pave the way for a general strategy to remediate and upcycle plastic waste across ecosystems.
They say the method outlined in the study could lead to better metabolic engineering for manufacturing such nitrogen-containing organic chemicals.
Scientists say further research involving different types of bacteria and plastic may generate other useful products.
'Overall, this work expands the available toolbox of metabolic chemistry for small-molecule synthesis,' they wrote.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
This is why you probably don't need foods with added protein, according to nutritionists
Nutritionists say that if you get enough food, you are likely getting enough protein and don't need to add more to your diet. 'Adding protein to foods is very beneficial for the profits of that food,' said Federica Amati, nutrition lead at Imperial College London and head nutritionist at the health science company ZOE. 'It is not based on health, it is not backed by science.' Proteins carry out countless functions inside cells, and they are vital for the growth, repair and maintenance of muscles, bones and skin. The comments come as food companies continue to roll out high-protein versions of a huge range of foods, including milkshakes, granola bars, pancakes and popcorn. Protein is a macronutrient, or a basic kind of food like fat or carbohydrates, that your body needs to function. There are thousands of proteins, assembled from smaller molecules called amino acids — most of which can be made by the body. 'Because protein is so important, our body has adapted really well to making sure that it can reassemble and change the building blocks of these amino acids to make sure we have what we need, as long as we're eating adequate amounts of food,' Amati said. Unless you have a specific health issue that requires you to have more protein, most people in countries like the U.S. and the U.K. do not need more. The amount of protein you need depends on your age, weight and personal nutritional needs and it is especially important for children and older adults to make sure they eat protein-rich foods. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends on average that healthy adults get about 0.4 grams of protein per pound of body weight (0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight). That's roughly 60 grams for men and 50 grams for women per day. Related Animal or plant? EU countries at odds over protein strategy 'Unless you have a specific health issue that requires you to have more protein, most people in countries like the US and the UK do not need more,' said Bridget Benelam, a nutritionist with the British Nutrition Foundation. Instead, Benelam suggests getting protein from different foods, such as dairy, fish, beans, nuts, vegetables and meat. Having some protein at every meal is also a likely a good idea. 'It appears to be better for preserving muscle function if you have some protein throughout the day, rather than just having it all in one meal,' Benelam said. Plant-based sources of protein include foods such as beans, lentils, peas, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh and meat substitutes. Related 'At the forefront': UK gets serious about alternative proteins with €45 million research hub Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy foods such as milk and yoghurt are also good sources of protein. For people trying to build more muscle, Amati recommended a more direct solution: exercise. 'If you're worried about your body composition and muscle strength, you have to lift (heavier) weights and give your body a challenge,' Amati said. 'Eating a protein bar is not going to help'.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
The surprising ways food packaging is exposing us to microplastics
At this point, most people know that microplastics are everywhere. Scientists have shown that tiny particles, amounting to the weight of a plastic spoon, can be found in our brains; hundreds of fragments of plastic are in each breath we take. But the exact origins of those tiny pieces of plastic have been unclear. Are they coming from plastics discarded in landfills and decomposing over dozens of years? Or are they spilling out of the plastic water bottles and containers we seal our food in? The answer matters — for individuals hoping to avoid the particles and politicians who may want to restrict the microplastics we eat, drink and breathe.
News24
an hour ago
- News24
Rwanda denies rumours President Kagame is sick
The Rwandan government on Tuesday denied rumours that President Paul Kagame was sick following his absence from public appearances in recent weeks. Kagame, 67, has not been seen in public since 6 June, as evidenced by his X account, generating rumours online and in the country given his usual energetic and omnipresent role. For many Rwandans, Kagame is a visionary hero who modernised the country, but others see him as a ruthless dictator who violently stamps out opposition. He has effectively ruled Rwanda since 1994, when he led a rebel uprising to overthrow the extremist Hutu regime responsible for the genocide that killed more than 800 000 members of the Tutsi minority. Kagame was re-elected last year for a fourth term with more than 99% of the vote. READ | Kagame tells countries sanctioning Rwanda to 'go to hell' A dissident based in Canada claimed this week that the president was suffering from a 'brain injury' being treated in Germany. However, a German diplomatic source told AFP they had no information on the matter. 'There is nothing to be worried or concerned about,' Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told Taarifa, a local news site. 'He is a human being, and like anyone else, he takes time to rest. There is nothing unusual or alarming,' an unnamed 'family member' told the same site. The Rwandan army, in a post on X, labelled as 'fake' a statement falsely attributed to them on social media, claiming the president was facing a 'serious health crisis'.
