…vanillin also can be made synthetically using chemicals derived from petroleum. To create it from plastic, instead, researchers genetically modified a strain of E. coli bacteria so that it can make vanillin from terephthalic acid (TA)—a raw material used in the production of plastic bottles, which can be broken down using special enzymes that reduce them to their basic chemical components.2 Because it uses microbial fermentation, the chemistry is similar to that of brewing beer.
According to the paper, approximately 85% of the world’s vanillin is synthesized from chemicals that are derived from fossil fuels, including crude oil.
Being able to create vanillin with plastic instead of petroleum means increasing vanillin supply while mitigating plastic waste, reducing industrial reliance on fossil fuels, and preserving forests.
Is this an actual concern? I never considered vanillin to be particularly in short supply since it’s everywhere in sweet foods. The motivation of using less petroleum is good, but the vanillin supply seems to be an odd point to make.
Based on the article, I’d say this isn’t a concern either. The point is less “in demand” and more, current systems in place use virgin crude oil to make vanillin, we could help to curb that and help make recycled plastic more appealing an industry to have if there was a product from it that was needed. And of course, capitalist are always claiming demand will never be sated so from that perspective perhaps it makes sense?