Researchers The University of Edinburgh successfully uses the natural properties of common bacteria to convert certain plastic waste into acetaminophen E. coli ((E. coli). This breakthrough represents a milestone with the potential to drive more sustainable approaches to drug production while also contributing to global plastic pollution reduction.
The study led by Stephen Wallace shows E. coli Cells contain phosphates, phosphates, an organic compound that is able to catalyze chemical reactions called loss rearrangements. Generally, this process involves rearrangement of atoms of the hydroxylamine molecule to form a new structure called isocyanate, a chemical intermediate that, when reacted with water, produces primary amines. These substances are crucial in many biological processes and in drug synthesis.
Using synthetic biology, scientists manipulate bacteria to redirect their internal chemistry and convert pet-derived molecules into active ingredients in acetaminophen in molecules of phenylacetic acid. They used a fermentation process similar to brewing beer to accelerate the conversion of industrial pet waste into drugs, resulting in less than 24 hours of results. According to the study results, about 90% of the final product corresponds to acetaminophen.
Importantly, this conversion is performed at room temperature with little carbon emissions, suggesting that the drug can be produced in a more environmentally friendly way.
Wallace notes that the process is most surprisingly, loss rearrangements occur naturally in live bacteria without the need for laboratory catalysts. That is, they use the microbial cells’ own abilities to trigger the desired response.
“The interesting thing is that we don’t have to teach bacteria how to do this reaction: the trick is to realize that they already have the tools, we just need to guide them,” explained the researchers, who reported by El País. “We use synthetic biology to establish new metabolic pathways in bacteria to guide their chemical action to produce the compounds we want. In this case, a drug.”
Sustainable drug production
This work, published in Nature, is probably the first example of the production of plastic waste. E. coli. However, the authors stress that further research will be necessary to obtain industrial-scale production. Furthermore, they warn that the safety and efficacy of the resulting drugs have not been evaluated in humans, and future studies are needed.
Despite these limitations, scientists stress that their results open up new possibilities for addressing plastic waste problems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with drug manufacturing.
Currently, the production of drugs such as acetaminophen consumes thousands of tons of fossil fuel, especially oil, which has made a significant contribution to climate change. Pets, in turn, generate more than 350 million tons of waste each year, causing severe damage to the environment. Although the material is recyclable, current methods often lead to the creation of products that perpetuate global plastic pollution.
“This work shows that PET plastic is not only a waste, but also a material destined to become plastic: microorganisms can transform it into valuable new products, including products with therapeutic potential,” Wallace concluded.
This story originally appeared in wired español and has been translated into Spanish.
