Post by : Anis Farhan

A Concept Years in the Making

Plastic pollution and pharmaceutical manufacturing share a common flaw: both rely heavily on fossil fuels. Over 450 million tons of PET plastic are produced annually, most languishing in landfills or oceans. Meanwhile, paracetamol (acetaminophen)—one of the world’s most-used painkillers—is created from phenol, a crude-oil derivative. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have bridged this gap, using synthetic biology to reshape how we view plastic waste.

Engineering a Microbial Factory

The team began by redesigning Escherichia coli. Using benign strains, they removed the bacteria's natural ability to synthesize para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a vital precursor to folic acid. They then introduced a PET-derived molecule that undergoes a Lossen rearrangement—previously never shown to occur in living cells. The bacteria not only processed this compound into PABA but also thrived on it—proving the reaction worked within a biological context.

Turning Waste into Medicine

Once the team confirmed PABA could be produced biologically from plastic, they took the next step: attaching two genes from other microorganisms that convert PABA into paracetamol. In a single fermentation process, the engineered bacteria converted PET-derived molecules into paracetamol with yields ranging from 83% (raw plastic) to 92% of purified precursor—within just 24–48 hours and without toxic byproducts.

Why This Breakthrough Matters

Unlike conventional chemical synthesis or mechanical recycling, this process is:

• Energy-efficient: Operates at room temperature and pressure.

• Climate-friendly: Generates virtually no CO₂.

• Circular: Addresses plastic pollution while producing a valuable pharmaceutical.

• Innovative: Uses a microbiological version of a lab-only reaction, the Lossen rearrangement, inside a living cell.

Researchers suggest this model could apply to other drugs, polymers, and agrochemicals—opening a new frontier in sustainable manufacturing.

Scaling Up Is the Next Step

Experts note challenges before industrial rollout: PET must be preprocessed into feedstock, and yields must remain high in large bioreactors. Chemical engineer Dylan Domaille commented that while the concept is “exciting,” it demands real-world scaling for maximum impact.

The Edinburgh team is partnering with AstraZeneca and others to develop scalable degradation-to-fermentation systems and rigorously assess environmental impact.

The Bigger Picture

This breakthrough lies at the heart of circular economy thinking—blurring boundaries between “waste” and “resource.” It showcases how synthetic biology can blend chemistry and microbiology to create microbial factories capable of producing medicines directly from rubbish.

The ultimate promise: drinking-bottle waste, medical need, and climate action all come together in one elegant process. It isn’t just recycling—it’s upcycling plastic to heal the planet and people.

Final Thought

The University of Edinburgh’s work marks a milestone in green chemistry. By proving a high-yield microbial route from plastic to paracetamol, it reframes pollution as potential. With further development, we could soon see factories brewing medicine from landfills—a true transformation of waste into wellness.

Disclaimer:

This article is written for informational and editorial purposes by Newsible Asia. The process described is proof-of-concept in small-scale labs as of June 2025. Industrial adoption will require further research, regulatory approval, and environmental validation.