Scientists with The University of Edinburgh was able to transform some plastic waste into acetaminofen using the natural properties of the common bacteria They showed frosty (E. coli). This breakthrough is a milestone that can escalate sustainable methods of drug production, and at the same time contribute to reducing plastic pollution around the world.
The study, conducted by Stephen Wallace, revealed this E. coli The cells contain phosphate, an organic compound capable of catalyzing the chemical reaction known as regrouping of losses. In general, this process includes the rearranging of the atoms of the hydroxamine ester molecule, creating a up-to-date structure called isocyanate, indirect chemical, which after a reaction with water produces primary amines. These substances are necessary in many biological processes and drug synthesis.
Using synthetic biology, scientists manipulated bacteria to redirect their internal chemistry and transform a molecule from PET known as terephthal acid into an vigorous ingredient in acetaminophen. They used the fermentation process, similar to the beer used in pair, to accelerate the conversions of industrial domestic animal waste to the drug, obtaining results in less than 24 hours. According to the findings, about 90 percent of the end product corresponded to acetaminofen.
Importantly, this conversion was made at room temperature and practically without coal emissions, which suggests that the drug can be produced in a more environmentally warm way.
Wallace noticed that the most surprising in this process was that the regrouping of the loss occurred naturally in live bacteria, without the need for laboratory catalysts. This means that they have used their own abilities of microorganism cells to cause the desired reaction.
“The funny thing is that we didn’t have to teach bacteria how to perform a reaction: the trick was to realize that they already had tools and we just had to lead them” – explained the researcher in statements through the country. “We used synthetic biology to build new metabolic routes in bacteria that direct their chemistry towards the production of the relationship we wanted. In this case, the drug.”
Sustainable drug production
Work published in the journal NatureIt can be the first documented case of acetaminofen production from plastic waste using E. coli. However, the authors emphasize that further research will be needed to achieve production on an industrial scale. In addition, they warn that the safety and effectiveness of the resulting drug in humans have not yet been evaluated, so future research will be required.
Despite these restrictions, scientists emphasize that their results are opening up-to-date possibilities of solving the problem of plastic waste and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions related to drug production.
Currently, the production of drugs such as acetaminofen consumes thousands of tons of fossil fuels, especially oil, which significantly contribute to climate change. In turn, PET generates over 350 million tons of waste per year, causing stern damage to the environment. Although this material is recycled, current methods often cause products that consolidate global pollution of plastics.
“This work shows that animal plastic is not only a waste product or a material designed to become more plastic: microorganisms can transform it into valuable new products, including those with potential potential,” Wallace summed up.
This story originally appeared Wired in Spanish and was translated from Spanish.