Scientists innovate sustainable method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol using genetically modified E. coli
Shreeaa Rathi | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jun 23, 2025, 23:04 IST
( Image credit : TIL Creatives, TOIGLOBAL )
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at Edinburgh University have devised a method to convert discarded plastic into paracetamol. By utilizing genetically altered E. coli bacteria, they can transform plastic waste from bottles into a vital component necessary for paracetamol synthesis.
Scientists have discovered a method to convert plastic waste into painkillers using genetically modified E coli, potentially offering a more sustainable alternative to the current oil-based paracetamol production, as reported on June 23, 2025. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that E coli can transform a material derived from plastic bottles into paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, by merging chemistry and biology. This innovative approach utilizes a chemical reaction previously unseen in nature, offering a way to produce paracetamol more sustainably while addressing plastic waste.
Chemists have found that E coli can be used to create paracetamol from a material produced in the laboratory from plastic bottles. The discovery opens the possibility of a more sustainable process for producing paracetamol.
“People don’t realise that paracetamol comes from oil currently,” said Prof Stephen Wallace, the lead author of the research from the University of Edinburgh .
Wallace and his colleagues reported in the journal Nature Chemistry their discovery that a Lossen rearrangement, a type of chemical reaction, was biocompatible. This means it can occur in the presence of living cells without harming them.
The team converted polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic found in food packaging and bottles, into a new material using sustainable chemical methods. When this material was incubated with a harmless strain of E coli, it transformed into Paba, a substance that involved a Lossen rearrangement.
The Lossen rearrangement, which typically requires harsh laboratory conditions, occurred spontaneously in the presence of E coli. Researchers found that phosphate within the cells catalyzed the reaction.
Paba is essential for bacterial growth, particularly for DNA synthesis. The E coli used in the experiments was genetically modified to block its natural Paba production pathways. This forced the bacteria to utilize the PET-based material.
“It is a way to just completely hoover up plastic waste,” said Wallace.
The researchers further modified the E coli by inserting two genes, one from mushrooms and one from soil bacteria. These genes enabled the bacteria to convert PABA into paracetamol.
The team reported that this modified E coli converted the PET-based starting material into paracetamol in under 24 hours. The process resulted in low emissions and a yield of up to 92%.
“What this technology shows is that by merging chemistry and biology in this way for the first time, we can make paracetamol more sustainably and clean up plastic waste from the environment at the same time.”
While further work is needed to scale up the process for commercial production, the results show potential for practical application.
“It enables, for the first time, a pathway from plastic waste to paracetamol, which is not possible using biology alone, and it’s not possible using chemistry alone,” Wallace said.
Chemists have found that E coli can be used to create paracetamol from a material produced in the laboratory from plastic bottles. The discovery opens the possibility of a more sustainable process for producing paracetamol.
“People don’t realise that paracetamol comes from oil currently,” said Prof Stephen Wallace, the lead author of the research from the University of Edinburgh .
Wallace and his colleagues reported in the journal Nature Chemistry their discovery that a Lossen rearrangement, a type of chemical reaction, was biocompatible. This means it can occur in the presence of living cells without harming them.
The team converted polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic found in food packaging and bottles, into a new material using sustainable chemical methods. When this material was incubated with a harmless strain of E coli, it transformed into Paba, a substance that involved a Lossen rearrangement.
The Lossen rearrangement, which typically requires harsh laboratory conditions, occurred spontaneously in the presence of E coli. Researchers found that phosphate within the cells catalyzed the reaction.
Paba is essential for bacterial growth, particularly for DNA synthesis. The E coli used in the experiments was genetically modified to block its natural Paba production pathways. This forced the bacteria to utilize the PET-based material.
“It is a way to just completely hoover up plastic waste,” said Wallace.
The researchers further modified the E coli by inserting two genes, one from mushrooms and one from soil bacteria. These genes enabled the bacteria to convert PABA into paracetamol.
The team reported that this modified E coli converted the PET-based starting material into paracetamol in under 24 hours. The process resulted in low emissions and a yield of up to 92%.
“What this technology shows is that by merging chemistry and biology in this way for the first time, we can make paracetamol more sustainably and clean up plastic waste from the environment at the same time.”
While further work is needed to scale up the process for commercial production, the results show potential for practical application.
“It enables, for the first time, a pathway from plastic waste to paracetamol, which is not possible using biology alone, and it’s not possible using chemistry alone,” Wallace said.