17-07-2025
Scientists Successfully Modify E. Coli to Convert Waste Plastic into Painkiller Ingredient
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have made an exciting breakthrough. They used genetic engineering to modify common E. coli bacteria. The modified bacteria can now turn plastic bottle material (PET) into painkiller medicine (paracetamol).
Photo by masakazu sasaki on Unsplash
Introduction
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have made an exciting breakthrough. They used genetic engineering to modify common E. coli bacteria. The modified bacteria can now turn plastic bottle material (PET) into painkiller medicine (paracetamol). The conversion rate reaches an impressive 92%. The entire process was carried out in 24 hours at room temperature with no toxic byproducts discovered.
The Two Materials
Paracetamol is the most popular non-anti-inflammatory antipyretic and analgesic drug, and the best form of drugs that fall under acetanilide. It is particularly for patients who are not able to use carboxylic acid drugs.
PET is a pale yellow or milky white, very crystalline polymer with a smooth, shiny surface. It possesses good physical and mechanical properties in a wide temperature range, and the service temperature is to 120°C. PET also has good electrical insulation properties and good electrical performance up to high temperatures and high frequencies. PET films may be used in liquid crystal displays to provide transparent conducting layers.
The Modification Method
In essence, the researchers first used green chemical processes to convert PET plastic into an intermediate compound. The intermediate would then react with E. coli, triggering the 'Lossen rearrangement reaction.' This reaction was, for the first time, proven to be biocompatible (harmless to living cells), with cell phosphates catalyzing the process (traditionally involving inhumane lab conditions).
For the aforementioned genetic editing procedure, the scientists halted the metabolic pathway through which the bacteria synthesize para-aminobenzoic acid (Paba) and introduced mushroom and soil bacteria genes to metabolize Paba to paracetamol.
Project leader Professor Stephen Wallace stated: 'People don't know today that raw materials for making paracetamol come from petroleum. This technology is the first one to bring together chemistry and biology, allowing us to manufacture pharmaceuticals sustainably and at the same time, resolve plastic pollution.'
Although the commercialization process has not been achieved, Wallace pointed out that 'this is the first synthetic route from plastic waste to paracetamol, which cannot be done with single-discipline technology.'
Source: Nature
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