Note that this works for PET (It’s a pet peeve of mine when these articles just say “plastic” in a way that makes it sound, like this can recycle all types of plastics), and more precisely, PET after chemical processing into something else, useable by the modified bacteria. While still a great avenue for recycling, the article does not elaborate how feasible this could become in large scales (unless I missed a sentence or paragraph, that can happen with my brain.):
The team made their discovery when they took polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – a type of plastic often found in food packaging and bottles – and, using sustainable chemical methods, converted it into a new material.
When the researchers incubated this material with a harmless strain of E coli they found it was converted into another substance known as Paba in a process that must have involved a Lossen rearrangement.
Crucially, while the Lossen rearrangement typically involves harsh laboratory conditions, it occurred spontaneously in the presence of the E coli, with the researchers discovering it was catalysed by phosphate within the cells themselves.
The team add that Paba is an essential substance that bacteria need for growth, in particular the synthesis of DNA, and is usually made within the cell from other substances. However, the E coli used in the experiments was genetically modified to block these pathways, meaning the bacteria had to use the PET-based material.
The researchers say the results are exciting as they suggest plastic waste can be converted into biological material.
“It is a way to just completely hoover up plastic waste,” said Wallace.
The researchers then genetically modified the E coli further, inserting two genes – one from mushrooms and one from soil bacteria – that enabled the bacteria to convert PABA into paracetamol.
The team say that by using this form of E coli they were able to turn the PET-based starting material into paracetamol in under 24 hours, with low emissions and a yield of up to 92%.
While further work would be needed to produce paracetamol in this way at commercial levels, the results could have a practical application.
Note that this works for PET (It’s a pet peeve of mine when these articles just say “plastic” in a way that makes it sound, like this can recycle all types of plastics), and more precisely, PET after chemical processing into something else, useable by the modified bacteria. While still a great avenue for recycling, the article does not elaborate how feasible this could become in large scales (unless I missed a sentence or paragraph, that can happen with my brain.):