Scientists convert plastic waste into paracetamol using bacteria

Scientists have successfully used genetically modified bacteria to convert plastic waste into paracetamol, a common painkiller. This breakthrough offers a sustainable method for drug production and waste reduction. Researchers used modified E. coli bacteria to transform a material derived from plastic bottles into paracetamol. The process involves a Lossen rearrangement, a chemical reaction previously unseen in nature, catalyzed by the bacteria's internal phosphate. The process, which takes under 24 hours, uses a PET-based material and yields up to 92% paracetamol. This innovative approach merges chemistry and biology, potentially revolutionizing drug manufacturing and tackling plastic pollution.