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Pablo Martínez-Juarez
WriterEnvironmental economist and science journalist. For a few years, I worked as a researcher on the economics of climate change adaptation. Now I write about that and much more.
Alba Mora
WriterAn established tech journalist, I entered the world of consumer tech by chance in 2018. In my writing and translating career, I've also covered a diverse range of topics, including entertainment, travel, science, and the economy.
The name Escherichia coli is often linked to stomach infections, some of which can be potentially fatal. However, a genetically modified version of this bacterium could assist in synthesizing one of the most widely used drugs in the world: acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol. Interestingly, this approach may help tackle another significant issue: plastic waste.
Recycling. A recent study published in Nature Chemistry shows the potential for using bacteria to produce paracetamol from a common plastic called polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This method could lead to a cleaner process for synthesizing paracetamol.
Plastic and paracetamol have something in common: They’re both synthesized from hydrocarbons. This is why researchers aimed to demonstrate that waste from one could serve as raw material for the production of the other.
“This work demonstrates that PET plastic isn’t just waste or a material destined to become more plastic–it can be transformed by microorganisms into valuable new products, including those with potential for treating disease,” co-author Stephen Wallace says in a press release.
E. coli. Generally, E. coli bacteria coexist peacefully in our digestive systems. However, some strains of E. coli can produce harmful toxins, making them pathogenic.
The research team has focused on a different aspect of these bacteria: their phosphate content. By genetically reprogramming specific E. coli specimens, the team transformed these bacteria into a crucial component in converting waste into medicine.
24 hours. The entire process takes only 24 hours, beginning with the decomposition of plastic. In their experiments, researchers used plastic bottles, but other types of PET plastics could also be utilized.
The team introduced terephthalic acid, a derivative of plastic, to the bacteria. This prompted an internal fermentation process that ultimately resulted in the synthesis of a pharmacological compound.
Sustainable approach. One notable aspect of this process is that it can be performed at room temperature. This significantly reduces energy consumption, leading to “virtually no carbon emissions” and making the production of paracetamol more sustainable.
The significant challenge lies in scaling up this process to make it profitable for industrial applications. This technology shows promise in addressing two major sustainability issues–plastic waste and drug production. However, there’s still a long way to go before it can be implemented on a larger scale.
Image | James Yarema
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