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Recent Advances in Degradation of Polymer Plastics by Insects Inhabiting Microorganisms
Summary
This review examined the ability of insects, including wax moths (Galleria mellonella) and mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), to biodegrade plastic polymers, summarizing mechanistic findings on gut microbiome-mediated degradation. Several insect species demonstrated measurable polyethylene and polystyrene mass loss, though degradation rates remain too slow for large-scale waste management applications.
Plastic pollution endangers all natural ecosystems and living creatures on earth. Excessive reliance on plastic products and excessive production of plastic packaging are extremely dangerous for humans because plastic waste has polluted almost the entire world, whether it is in the sea or on the land. This review introduces the examination of pollution brought by non-degradable plastics, the classification and application of degradable materials, and the current situation and strategy to address plastic pollution and plastic degradation by insects, which mainly include Galleria mellonella, Zophobas atratus, Tenebrio molitor, and other insects. The efficiency of plastic degradation by insects, biodegradation mechanism of plastic waste, and the structure and composition of degradable products are reviewed. The development direction of degradable plastics in the future and plastic degradation by insects are prospected. This review provides effective ways to solve plastic pollution.