Plants will be fertilized with paracetamol, digested by beneficial bacteria.

Thanks to this medicine, plants will sprout one and a half times faster

Scientists from the Perm State Pharmaceutical Academy recently received a patent for an original method of treating and feeding medicinal and other plants. They suggested fertilizing them… with paracetamol, previously processed by beneficial bacteria.

To process one of the most popular cold medicines, it was decided to use the bacteria Rhodococcus ruber. These microorganisms became the subject of close attention of scientists relatively recently, when it became clear that they “eat up” the lion’s share of plastic deposits that humanity continues to litter the world’s oceans with. Scientists decided to use this ability to “eat” all sorts of nasty things.

The fact that a new medicine for plants was invented by specialists from the Pharmaceutical Academy should not be surprising: they know firsthand what difficulties those who deal with the disposal of paracetamol now face. As it turned out, there is such a problem, and we are talking not only about expired drugs, but also about waste from pharmaceutical production. Once released into nature, a substance that is beneficial to patients causes serious harm if it is not processed correctly.

Perm scientists have found such a method. To begin with, the bacteria Rhodococcus ruber must be fed and allowed to multiply in a solution made, in particular, from minced meat, water and salt. After three days of feasting, the bacteria are thoroughly washed and sent to another solution, paracetamol. For 20 days they digest the medicine – a process called biodegradation of paracetamol. Then, when an analysis of the liquid shows that all the paracetamol has been digested, scientists will collect the resulting sediment – this is a valuable fertilizer.

The resulting pulp is sifted to remove bacteria and dried – the healing powder is ready. Scientists use it as a growth stimulator for medicinal plants. Experience in using the medicine has shown that with its help, beneficial herbs grow more than one and a half times faster.