Scientists Turn Plastic Waste Into Paracetamol Using Engineered Bacteria

Scientists Turn Plastic Waste Into Paracetamol Using Engineered Bacteria
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Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol using genetically modified E. coli bacteria, The Guardian said. The process begins with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly found in plastic bottles, which is broken down into a new substance using sustainable chemical methods.

This material is then metabolized by engineered E. coli to produce PABA, a key biological compound, through a chemical reaction known as a Lossen rearrangement—previously unseen in living cells. Remarkably, the reaction occurred naturally inside the bacteria, catalyzed by cellular phosphate. Further genetic modifications enabled the bacteria to convert PABA into paracetamol. The entire process was completed within 24 hours, achieving up to 92% yield with minimal emissions.

Published in Nature Chemistry, the study demonstrates a novel integration of biology and chemistry, offering a sustainable approach to drug manufacturing and plastic waste reduction. Commercial scalability remains a future goal for the researchers.