Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have made a breakthrough. They’ve found a way to turn plastic waste into paracetamol. This common pain reliever is normally made from fossil fuels. But the new method uses genetically modified bacteria to convert a chemical from plastic bottles into paracetamol.
The process is surprisingly efficient. It takes less than 24 hours and works at room temperature. The scientists used a type of bacteria called E. coli to convert a chemical called terephthalic acid into paracetamol. This acid is found in PET plastic bottles. The best part? The process has a 92% success rate and produces minimal carbon emissions.
This innovation could be a game-changer for waste management and sustainable drug production. The study, published in Nature Chemistry, was funded by EPSRC and AstraZeneca. It could pave the way for a new era in sustainable pharmaceutical production. The method might even be adaptable to other types of plastic waste.
The scientists are excited about the potential of “suprarreciclaje” – a process that goes beyond traditional recycling. It’s a chemical approach that could help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. By using plastic waste to make medicines, we could reduce waste and carbon emissions at the same time. This breakthrough could have far-reaching implications for the future of sustainable production.
How it works
The process starts with plastic waste. The scientists take PET plastic bottles and break them down into their chemical components. They then use genetically modified E. coli bacteria to convert the terephthalic acid into paracetamol. The result is a sustainable and efficient way to produce this common pain reliever.
Benefits and potential
The benefits of this new method are numerous. It reduces waste, carbon emissions, and our reliance on fossil fuels. The process is also surprisingly efficient, taking less than 24 hours to complete. The scientists believe that this method could be adapted to produce other medicines and chemicals. The potential is vast, and the implications are exciting.
This breakthrough could be the start of a new era in sustainable production. By using plastic waste to make medicines, we could reduce waste and carbon emissions at the same time. The scientists at the University of Edinburgh are leading the way in this innovative field. Their work could have far-reaching implications for the future of sustainable production and waste management.