Researchers at the University of Edinburgh managed to transform certain plastic residues into acetaminol using the natural properties of the common bacterium They exposed a cold (E. coli). This advance represents a milestone with the potential to drive more sustainable methods of drug Production and, at the same time, contribute to the reduction of plastic pollution worldwide.
The study, led by Stephen Wallace, revealed that E. coli Cells contain phosphate, an organic compound capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction known as a loss -rearrangement. In general, this process involves the reorganization of the atoms of hydroxy -loving ester molecule to form a new structure called isocyanate, chemical intermediate, which, when reacted with water, produces primary amines. These substances are essential in multiple biological processes and in drug syntheses.
Using synthetic biology, the scientists have manipulated the bacteria to redirect their internal chemistry and transforming a pet-derived molecule known as terrephable acid into the active ingredient in acetaminophen. They used a fermentation process, similar to the one used in a brewery, to accelerate the conversion of an industrial pet into the drug, gaining results in less than 24 hours. According to the findings, about 90 percent of the final product corresponded to acetaminophen.
Importantly, this conversion was done at room temperature and with almost no carbon emissions, suggesting that the drug can be produced in a more ecological way.
Wallace noted that what was most amazed at the process was that the loss -rearrangement occurred naturally within living bacteria, without the need for laboratory catalysts. That is, they used the microbial cells’ own capabilities to trigger the desired reaction.
“The curious thing is that we didn’t have to teach the bacteria how to make the reaction: the trick was to see that they already have the tools, and we just had to guide them,” explained the researcher in statements reported of the country. “We used a synthetic biology to build new metabolic paths in the bacteria that guide their chemistry to produce the composition we wanted. In this case, a drug.”
Sustainable drug production
The work published in the newspaper Naturecould be the first documented case of acetaminophen production of plastic waste using E. coli. However, the authors emphasize that further studies will be needed to achieve industrial scale production. In addition, they are cautious that the safety and effectiveness of the resulting drug at humans must still be evaluated, so future research will be needed.
Despite these limitations, scientists emphasize that their results are opening new possibilities to address the problem of plastic waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with drug manufacturing.
Currently, drug production as acetaminophen consumes thousands of tons of fossil fuels, especially oil, which contributes significantly to climate change. In turn, PET generates more than 350 million tons of waste a year, causing serious damage to the environment. Although this material is recyclable, current methods often result in products that perpetuate global plastic pollution.
“This work proves that PET -plastic is not just a waste product or material intended to become more plastic: microorganisms can transform it into valuable new products, including those with therapeutic potential,” ended Wallace.
This story originally appeared in Wired In Spanish and was translated from Spanish.
