Researchers have demonstrated a groundbreaking method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol utilizing engineered Escherichia coli bacteria. This study, published in Nature Chemistry, reveals that the bacteria can perform the Lossen rearrangement, a chemical reaction that typically does not occur in nature, enabling plastic bioremediation and sustainable drug production. The method allows for the synthesis of para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) and subsequently paracetamol from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste without harming bacterial growth. The research suggests a potential for environmentally friendly pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Source: Nature Chemistry