Paracetamol and ibuprofen are the most common over-the-counter painkillers in the world. But crude oil is needed to make them. Now, researchers at the University of Bath have come up with a more sustainable way of making medicine from the waste products of the paper industry.
Will not cause any harm to the environment Whenever we feel a headache, many of us straight away take paracetamol without thinking what is the reason behind it. Few of us know that many common pharmaceuticals, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, are made using chemicals derived from crude oil.
To reduce our dependence on fossil fuel, it is very important to find its alternative. About 100,000 tonnes of these medicines are produced every year. In such a situation, the environment is also harmed by using minerals on such a large scale.
Chemicals taken from pine trees In the new study, researchers at the university created the ingredients used in these medicines from renewable sources. The team started with a chemical called beta-pinene, which is a component of turpentine itself. It is taken from pine trees.
Researchers used it to make paracetamol and ibuprofen. It contains the 4-HAP compound that is used to make perfumes and cleaning products as well as beta blockers and asthma medication.