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Corn straw co-feeding enhances polystyrene biotransformation in mealworms through redox regulation and gut microbiota-host interactions.
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Scientists found that feeding mealworms a mix of Styrofoam and corn stalks helped the worms break down the plastic faster than Styrofoam alone, by boosting gut chemical reactions and helpful bacteria. This matters because it points to a cheap, natural way to help break down plastic waste, though more research is needed to know if this reduces microplastics in our environment and food chain.
Plastic-degrading insects ("plastivores") have emerged as promising biological systems for mitigating plastic pollution, yet the mechanisms linking dietary supplementation, gut microbiota, and host physiology remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of corn straw (CS) co-feeding on the biotransformation of polystyrene (PS) microplastics (M 142.6 kDa) versus PS plus natural lignocellulose-containing diet CS at a 4:1 (w/w) ratio versus CS as sole at 25.0 ± 0.5 °C for 32 days by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor). Compared with a PS-only diet, CS co-feeding increased PS removal efficiency from 47.3% to 58.5% and enhanced the specific PS consumption rate by 38%. Stable-isotope analysis (with a ΔδC of 1.60 ‰), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed enhanced PS depolymerization and biotransformation. CS co-feeding elevated gut ROS levels by approximately 30% while maintaining antioxidant homeostasis. Integrated metabolomic, microbiome, metatranscriptomic, and host transcriptomic analyses revealed coordinated shifts in redox metabolism, microbial activity, and host signaling pathways. The results suggest that redox regulation and gut microbiota-host interactions jointly contribute to enhanced PS biotransformation during CS co-feeding.
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Gut microbiome of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor Larvae) show similar responses to polystyrene and corn straw diets
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Researchers compared the gut microbiomes of mealworms fed polystyrene plastic versus corn straw and found strikingly similar microbial community responses to both diets. The findings suggest that the ability of mealworm larvae to break down plastics likely evolved from ancient biological mechanisms originally designed to digest natural plant fibers like lignocellulose. The study points to mealworm gut bacteria as a potential resource for developing biological plastic degradation strategies.
Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Tenebrionidae Larvae
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Researchers tested the ability of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and superworm (Zophobas morio) larvae to biodegrade polystyrene foam through feeding experiments with different dietary conditions. They found that both species could consume and break down polystyrene, with gut microorganisms playing a key role in the degradation process. The study suggests that insect-based biodegradation could offer a biological approach to addressing polystyrene waste in the environment.
Biodegradation of Post-Consumer Expanded Polystyrene and Low-Density Polyethylene by Tenebrio molitor Larvae
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Scientists found that mealworms (beetle larvae) can actually break down used plastic bags and foam containers by eating them and changing their chemical structure. The mealworms produce waste that contains smaller plastic pieces and chemical compounds, which could potentially reduce plastic pollution in the environment. This research is important because it shows a natural way to help deal with the massive amounts of plastic waste that currently pile up in landfills and oceans.
Optimizing polystyrene degradation, microbial community and metabolite analysis of intestinal flora of yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor.
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Yellow mealworm larvae fed only expanded polystyrene were found to biodegrade the plastic, with the efficiency depending on temperature and humidity conditions. The gut microbiome of the larvae played a key role, and researchers identified metabolic pathways involved in polystyrene breakdown, advancing understanding of insect-based plastic biodegradation.
Changes in Intestinal Microbiota Due to the Expanded Polystyrene Diet of Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)
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Researchers found that mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) fed expanded polystyrene (EPS) showed significant changes in intestinal microbiota composition compared to controls, suggesting gut microbiome shifts accompany the biological degradation of polystyrene microplastics.
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