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Polylactic acid microplastics enhance copper bioavailability and host–microbiome toxicity during black soldier fly bioconversion of food waste: Mechanisms and multi-level impacts
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Scientists found that "biodegradable" plastic bits can actually make copper contamination worse when black soldier fly larvae recycle food waste, making the copper more absorbable and stressing out both the insects and their gut bacteria. This matters because these larvae are increasingly used to turn food scraps into animal feed, so contamination risks could travel further up the food chain than expected.
Biodegradable microplastics are increasingly entering food waste (FW) streams, yet their effects on heavy metal behavior during black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) bioconversion remain unclear. This study investigated the combined effects of polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs, 1% w/w) and Cu (100-300 mg/kg ww) in a BSFL-based FW conversion system. The 100-200 mg/kg treatments represented upper-range Cu exposure scenarios relevant to Cu-rich food residues. PLA-MPs increased Cu accumulation in larvae by 14-32% and shifted Cu toward more bioactive fractions in larvae and frass, indicating enhanced Cu mobility and bioavailability. Co-exposure intensified oxidative and detoxification responses, depleted glutathione, increased lipid peroxidation, and altered energy metabolism. Transcriptomic analysis indicated activation of xenobiotic metabolism, glutathione-related detoxification, and immune-associated pathways. PLA-MPs and Cu also reshaped gut and frass microbial communities, increased community stochasticity, suppressed dissolved organic matter humification, and reduced substrate stabilization and bioconversion performance. Partial least squares path modeling further linked Cu activation and migration, host physiological stress, and microbial dysbiosis to reduced bioconversion efficiency. Overall, PLA-MPs enhanced Cu bioavailability and amplified multi-level toxicity during BSFL-mediated FW treatment, highlighting potential risks to the safe valorization of contaminated organic waste.
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From Promotion to Inhibition: A Holistic Perspective on the Biological Effects of Polylactic Acid Microplastics on Black Soldier Fly Larva in Food Waste Bioconversion
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Researchers studied how polylactic acid microplastics at different concentrations affect black soldier fly larvae used in food waste bioconversion. Low exposure (1%) boosted larval weight by 33% through enhanced nutrient utilization and beneficial gut microbes, while high exposure (5%) suppressed growth by 15% due to excessive oxidative stress and disrupted gut microbial communities.
Impact of heavy metals, microplastics, and food pathogens on black soldier fly larvae
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Researchers fed black soldier fly larvae substrates contaminated with heavy metals, microplastics, and food pathogens to evaluate tolerance and bioconversion efficiency, finding that certain contaminants reduced larval performance and bioconversion rates with implications for insect-based waste recycling.
Detection of Microplastic Fibers in Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal
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Scientists found tiny plastic fibers hiding inside black soldier fly larvae that were raised on household trash — larvae increasingly used as animal feed and even considered for human food. This matters because if these bugs are eating our plastic waste and absorbing microplastics, that plastic could be working its way up the food chain into livestock, fish, or eventually us. More research is needed, but it's a reminder to think carefully about what "sustainable" food sources are actually being fed before they end up on our plates.
Trace metal elements and microplastics ingestion during biowaste recycling by black soldier larvae
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Researchers examined the ingestion of trace metal elements and microplastics by black soldier fly larvae during biowaste recycling, assessing whether this valorization pathway introduces contaminant risks into the insect biomass and resulting frass.
Microplastic–metal–microbiota interactions in the flesh fly Boettcherisca peregrina larvae reared on contaminated livestock manure
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics in livestock manure affect flesh fly larvae, which are used for manure processing. They found that while the microplastics did not significantly affect larval growth, they shortened adult lifespan and increased the accumulation of heavy metals like arsenic, chromium, and copper in the larvae. The microplastics also disrupted gut bacteria involved in metal processing, revealing a three-way interaction between plastics, metals, and gut microbes.
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