Waste to painkiller? Bacteria convert plastic into paracetamol

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Wallace Lab have developed a novel method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol (acetaminophen) using genetically engineered E. coli bacteria. This innovative process transforms terephthalic acid, a compound derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, into paracetamol within 24 hours through a fermentation technique similar to beer brewing. Unlike traditional paracetamol production, which relies on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes that emit significant carbon emissions, this biological method operates at room temperature and produces minimal emissions, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. The breakthrough hinges on a previously unobserved chemical reaction called the Lossen rearrangement occurring naturally inside living cells, enabling the bacteria to convert PET-based intermediates into para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a precursor molecule. By further inserting genes from mushrooms and soil bacteria, the researchers enabled E. coli to complete the conversion to paracetamol. This approach not only presents a promising