Scientists successfully convert plastic waste into recycled paracetamol using modified bacteria.

A group of scientists from the United Kingdom has taken a significant step in the search for sustainable solutions to plastic pollution. Using biotechnology and chemistry tools, they have managed to transform plastic waste —specifically, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and containers— in the active ingredient of paracetamol, one of the most consumed painkillers in the world.

The research, carried out by the team at the University of Edinburgh, was published in the journal Nature Chemistry and has been highlighted for its potential to change the way we manage both plastic waste and medicine production. To achieve this breakthrough, the researchers used genetically modified Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria, which are capable of converting terephthalic acid—a derivative of PET—into paracetamol.

From bottle to medicine: an innovative process

The procedure begins with the chemical degradation of PET plastics to obtain terephthalic acid, that It is then transformed by E. coli bacteria into the active ingredient paracetamol.The entire process is carried out at room temperature, under conditions similar to those of a beer fermentation, and is characterized by its high efficiency: Laboratory conversion achieved a yield of 90 to 92% in less than 24 hours.

This technique uses a chemical reaction called "Lossen rearrangement", never before induced in living organisms for this purpose. Using gene editing, scientists activated the enzyme that enables this reaction within the bacteria, using compounds naturally present within them.

Compared to the conventional industrial method of producing paracetamol, which relies on petroleum and generates a considerable carbon footprint, The new approach stands out because it is carried out in mild conditions and virtually without carbon dioxide emissions..

An example of "upcycling" with pharmaceutical and environmental relevance

Every year, more than 350 million tons of plastic waste are generated worldwide., a large portion of which comes from food packaging and PET bottles. Conventional recycling methods often generate new plastics or low-value materials, perpetuating the problem. This innovative method of recycling It allows the creation of high added value products from waste, in what is known as chemical "upcycling".

The discovery represents a significant advance for both the circular economy and sustainable pharmaceutical production. It not only represents a much more efficient use of recycled plastic, but also reduces energy dependence on fossil fuels and associated emissions.

Challenges and possibilities for the future

Although the technique is still in the laboratory phase, Those responsible for the study are working on scaling and adapting the technology for other types of plastics and the synthesis of different medicinesThey acknowledge, however, that there are still challenges, such as the variability of waste, potential toxic effects under certain industrial conditions, and the assessment of its large-scale economic viability.

Funded by the British agency EPSRC, the pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca, and Edinburgh Innovations, the project is also an example of collaboration between public research and industry. Synthetic biology experts see this approach as a practical example of how metabolic engineering can help create a more sustainable industry that is less dependent on fossil resources..

This method opens the door to, in the future, Other compounds of industrial or pharmaceutical interest can be obtained from waste, transforming one of the main environmental problems into new opportunities.

The transformation of plastics into paracetamol using modified bacteria represents a concrete example of how research can contribute to addressing both the environmental plastics crisis and the challenge of producing medicines more cleanly. If it overcomes technical and economic barriers, it could mark a paradigm shift in waste management and pharmaceutical manufacturing.