Scientists found a way to turn plastic bottles into medicine for a serious illness

Today, plastic pollution is one of the most acute environmental problems: annually, about 50 million tons of waste from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) alone are generated worldwide. Scientists are constantly searching for environmentally friendly methods of both disposal and processing of this waste, to make the most efficient use of the valuable carbon it contains.

As reported by the University of Edinburgh website, a team of researchers has developed a new method in which modified E. coli bacteria play a key role. Modifying the bacteria's genome allowed them to gain the ability to convert PET plastic, widely used in food and beverage packaging, into L-DOPA (levodopa) — the main and most effective treatment for Parkinson's disease.

The process begins with the breakdown of PET waste into simpler chemical compounds, such as terephthalic acid. Then, molecules of this acid, under the influence of modified bacteria, are converted into a medicinal substance through a series of biological reactions. The team of scientists claims that using this technique for L-DOPA production is more environmentally friendly than traditional pharmaceutical synthesis methods, which rely on the use of fossil fuels.

Since PET is produced from non-renewable sources (oil and gas), there is an urgent need for new approaches to its recycling. Existing recycling processes are not entirely effective and still contribute to planetary pollution. This discovery offers a sustainable way to reuse the valuable carbon contained in plastic, which would otherwise end up in landfills, be incinerated, or pollute the environment.

Such an approach can pave the way for the development of the bio-upcycling industry — the production of not only pharmaceutical preparations but also a wide range of other products, including flavorings, perfumes, cosmetics, and industrial chemicals.

After successfully demonstrating the production of L-DOPA on a laboratory scale, scientists plan to focus on implementing the technology in production. The next stages will involve optimizing the process, increasing its scalability, and thoroughly evaluating its environmental and economic indicators.

As noted by the study's authors, whose results were published in the journal Nature Sustainability, their discovery is just the beginning. If it was possible to produce medicine from a plastic bottle, it's exciting to imagine what else this technology can achieve.

Plastic waste is often perceived as an environmental problem, but it is also a huge untapped source of carbon. The new technology demonstrates that waste can be transformed into a valuable resource for human health.

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