Bacteria Turn Plastic Bottles into Painkillers in Scientific Breakthrough
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have engineered E. coli bacteria to convert polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into paracetamol (acetaminophen). The process:
- Breaks down plastic into terephthalic acid
- Converts acid into painkiller molecules
- Yields 90% pure pharmaceutical-grade product
“This could make plastic waste a medical resource,” said biochemist Dr. Joanna Sadler.
