We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of Expanded Polystyreneon Growth and Development Time of Tenebrio molitor
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers fed expanded polystyrene to mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) and found that while the insects can ingest and partially degrade the plastic, it significantly slows their growth rate and extends their development time compared to larvae on a normal diet.
Many studies have reported that mealworms can ingest plastic during their larval stage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of expanded polystyrene consumption on the growth and development of mealworms during their larval stage. We found that the growth rate is significantly different between mealworms consumed wheat bran and mealworms consumed expanded polystyrene (p < 0.001). The transformation into pupa occurred faster among the mealworms consumed expanded polystyrene than those consumed wheat bran (p < 0.001). However, the survival rate was not significantly different between the two groups of mealworms (p = 0.786). Based on the data, we conclude that mealworms consuming expanded polystyrene have a slower weight gain and a shorter development period than mealworms consuming wheat bran, but the expanded polystyrene does not affect the survival rate before the transformation into pupa. Practically, we anticipate that mealworms can be a resource for the sustainable and eco-friendly removal of expanded polystyrene waste.
More Papers Like This
The interplay of larval age and particle size regulates micro-polystyrene biodegradation and development of Tenebrio molitor L.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that three-month-old mealworm larvae are optimal for polystyrene microplastic biodegradation, showing the highest consumption rates and confirmed depolymerization in their frass, with comparable survival to control groups when co-fed with wheat bran.
Biodegradation Mechanism of Polystyrene by Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and Nutrients Influencing Their Growth
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) break down polystyrene, finding that gut microbes drive radical oxidative reactions — including autoxidation and quinonization — that reduce molecular weight by 33% within a week, though mealworms require additional nutrients like protein, phosphorus, and magnesium to actually grow on plastic-only diets.
Effect of varying weight of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.) on styrofoam degradation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) at three weight groups to assess their capacity to biodegrade styrofoam, finding that degradation efficiency increased substantially with mealworm mass—from 2.72% at 100g to 70.37% at 300g. Heavy metal analysis showed the mealworms efficiently excreted most contaminants through their residues, suggesting their potential as a sustainable biological solution for polystyrene waste management.
Sourcing chitin from exoskeleton of Tenebrio molitor fed with polystyrene or plastic kitchen wrap
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sourced chitin from the exoskeletons of mealworm larvae fed diets containing polystyrene or plastic kitchen wrap mixed with bran. The study found that while plastic-fed larvae produced heavier exoskeletons, no plastic residues were detected in the chitin, suggesting that mealworms can effectively degrade plastic waste while still yielding usable chitin.
Biodegradation of aged polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae)
AI summary Read the abstract
Yellow mealworm larvae were able to consume and biodegrade both fresh and aged polyethylene film and polystyrene foam over a 35-day period. While aged plastics slightly slowed larval growth, the worms still broke down the plastic with help from their gut bacteria, confirmed by chemical analysis showing structural changes in the consumed plastic. This biological approach to plastic degradation could help reduce the amount of plastic waste that eventually breaks down into microplastics in the environment.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.