Researchers from The University of Edinburgh has suggested in the transformation of certain plastic waste into acetaminophen using the natural properties of the common bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). This breakthrough represents in 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 Losten rearrangement. In general terms, this process implies the rearrangement of the atoms of an ester hydroxamate molecule to form a new structure called isocyanate, at the chemical intermediary which, when reacted with water, produces primary amines. These substances are essential in the number of biological processes and in the synthesis of drugs.

Using synthetic biology, the scientist has manipulated bacteria to redirect their internal chemistry and transform a molecule derived from TEP called Téréphhalique acid into active ingredient in acetaminophen. They used a fermentation process, similar to that of using brewing beer, to accelerate the conversion of industrial PET in the medication, obtaining results in less than 24 hours. According to the results, around 9% of the corpassed acetaminophen final product.

Above all, this conversion was carried out at ambient temperatures and with practically no carbon emissions, which suggests that the drug can be produced in a more environmentally friendly manner.

Wallace noted that what was mounted on the process is that the Losten rearrange occurred naturally with living bacteria, without the need for laboratory catalysts. In other words, they took advantage of the own capacity of microbial cells to trigger the reaction of the Desil.

“What is funny is that we did not have to teach bacteria how to make the reaction: the trick was to realize that Ayry Almedy had the tools, and we just had to guide them,” said the researcher in reports reported By El País. “We used synthetic biology to build new metabolic paths with bacteria that guide their chemistry towards the production of the compound we wanted. In this case, a drug.”

Production of sustainable drugs

The work, published in the journal NatureCould be the first documented case of acetaminophen production from plastic waste using E. coli. However, the authors point out that other studies will be necessary to achieve production on an industrial scale. In addition, they warn that the safety and efficiency of the resulting medication in humans have one year to be assessed, I know that future research will be necessary.

Despite these limits, scientists emphasize that their results are opening up new possibilities to resolve the problem of plastic waste and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture of drugs.

Currently, the production of drugs such as acetaminophen consumes thousands of tons of fossil fuels, espial oil, which significantly contributes to climate change. In turn, PET generates more than 350 million tonnes of waste for the 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 shows that PET plastic is not only a waste or a material intended to become more plastic: microorganisms can transform it into new precious products, including those with therapeutic potential,” concluded Wallace.

This story initially looked at Cable EN ESPAñol and was translated from Spanish.