UK Scientists convert plastic waste into vanilla flavours
Researchers have found a way to convert plastic trash into Vanillin — the main component of widely popular vanilla flavour. The study conducted by scientists at the University of Edinburgh found that common bacteria E. coli can be deployed as a sustainable way to convert post-consumer plastic into vanillin.
23 Jun 2021 | 1806 Views | By WhatPackaging? Team
Vanillin is the primary component of extracted vanilla beans and is responsible for the characteristic taste and smell of vanilla.
The scientists used polyethylene terephthalate (PET), widely used for packaging foods and convenience-sized juices and water to conduct the research.
The research, published in the journal Green Chemistry, states that scientists achieved 79% conversion to vanillin from the plastic-derived molecule, terephthalic acid (TA).
The team also demonstrated how the technique works by converting a used plastic bottle into vanillin by adding E. coli to the degraded plastic waste.
(Courtesy: Agencies)