American scientists have developed a highly beneficial and environmentally sustainable pharmaceutical method by using plants instead of petroleum to produce a popular pain reliever and other valuable products.
This discovery builds upon a previously patented method for producing acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol), offering a more eco-friendly path for one of the world's most widely used medications.
The findings were recently published in the Journal of Chemical Engineering.
Researchers have converted shredded poplar biomass into crystals of acetaminophen and other valuable products. Image Source: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is one of the most widely used drugs, with an annual global market value of approximately $13 billion. Since its introduction in the early 20th century, this drug has traditionally been made from derivatives of coal tar or petroleum.
In 2019, scientists from the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center, Steven Karlen and John Ralph, a biochemistry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, demonstrated how compounds from poplar trees could be used to manufacture this drug through a well-known chemical reaction.
Now, Karlen's team has improved the production process for acetaminophen as well as other drugs, pigments, textiles, and biodegradable plastics, with a cumulative market value exceeding $1.5 billion.
The acetaminophen molecule consists of a six-carbon benzene ring and two chemical groups (one hydroxyl and one amide). Lignin from poplar trees produces a similar compound called para-hydroxybenzoic acid ester (pHB).
Lignin is rich in valuable aromatic compounds that can substitute for many petrochemical products and provide additional revenue streams for bio-refining, making plant-based fuels more cost-competitive. However, due to the complex and irregular molecular structure of lignin, breaking it down into useful components is challenging.
Through chemical treatment, pHB is relatively easy to break down. Initial research indicated that it could be converted into acetaminophen chemically, but Karlen stated that this process did not convert enough raw materials into the final product.
To address these challenges, researchers developed a different, cheaper method to process poplar biomass, which can convert almost all pHB into another chemical, which can then be converted into acetaminophen or other products.
"This can produce dyes like black ink, polymers for textile or material applications, and it can also be converted into adhesives or similar things. It has huge markets and value," said Karlen.
Through their research, scientists have successfully converted 90% of the raw material into acetaminophen, using a cheaper extraction method than traditional purification techniques. Karlen said that the yield could be increased to 99%.
The production process of this technology is mainly water-based, using green solvents, and enables continuous reactions, making it an ideal choice for industrial applications.
Related paper information: Link
