Therefore,
How did bacterium change plastic:
With a view to alleviating the environmental effects of plastic waste. Furthermore, researchers from the University of Edinburgh have reached Transform PET plastic into paracetamolthanks to a bacterium.
A new way of recycling plastic bottles – How did bacterium change plastic
Plastic pollution is a real problemcreating real islands of waste in our oceans. Similarly, threatening world fauna and flora and even finding themselves in our organisms via microplastics. Moreover, So. Furthermore, Each innovative method to recycle plastic and above all to limit its impact on the environment is good to take.
Paracetamol is He also a source of pollution. In addition, Indeed. In addition, this drug, among the most used in the world to fight pain and fever, is Product based on oil derivatives via polluting techniques. However, the used PET plastic bottles are also from oil.
PET plastic, or ethylene polyterephtaplate, is used to condition 70 % of soft drinks, fruit juices, diluable drinks how did bacterium change plastic and bottled water. It is light, durable, safe and also has a lower carbon footprint than other materials. Thus, PET is the most recyclable plastic in the world.
Thus. researchers from the University of Edinburgh have had a rather unusual but innovative idea for the recycling of these famous PET plastics: Transform this plastic into paracetamol. According to a publication published in the journal Nature Chemistry at the end of June, their bet seems successful!
A successful bet thanks to a bacteria
In order to succeed in this experience, scientists have genetically modified E. coli bacteria So that they synthesize so-called “paba” molecules, or para-aminobenzoic acid, a phenolic amino acid. These molecules then digested plastic thanks to a chemical reaction for Finally get paracetamol.
By genetically reprogramming the E. coli bacteria. researchers of luniversity Dedinburgh have managed to transform (at room temperature in less than 24 hours) a molecule derived how did bacterium change plastic from PET plastic, known as the dark acid, into an active ingredient of paracetamol. pic.twitter.com/RkD1tFnNY3
– Human genius (@legeniehuman) June 27. 2025
Thus, this successful experience opens the way to New plastic waste recycling techniquesespecially for PET plastics, which are therefore used for bottles but also for films (coatings, survival covers, packaging, …), textile fibers, “credit card” format, 3D prints and even cardiovascular prostheses!
However, the application of this new recycling technique is not obvious. There are indeed many considerations to be resolved to pass the stage of the sole demonstration of successful feasibility. by these researchers from the University of Edinburgh. The initial reaction only producesA limited amount of Paba molecules how did bacterium change plastic and therefore paracetamol laterwhich would ultimately not be enough. for large -scale industrial applications.
Nevertheless, This new type of recycling is only in its infancy and the experience remains promising. It is therefore important to deepen this method and potentially find new ones binding biology and artificial chemical reactions. Who knows, maybe the immense problem of plastic and its recycling could ultimately be Solved by “simple” bacteria ?
Article reference:
When a bacteria changes plastic into paracetamol, France Info, 07/14/2025
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