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Comparison of three insect larvae biodegrading polyethylene and role of the intestinal bacterial strains in polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella larvae
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Compared to two other insect species, Galleria mellonella waxworm larvae showed the highest polyethylene degradation ability, with gut bacterial strains identified as key contributors to plastic breakdown in a process transferable outside the host.
Abstract Polyethylene (PE) has been described as the most abundant plastic worldwide, such as mulching films and plastic bags. A few insects have been identified to ingest and metabolize polyethylene. In this study, we contrasted the degradation ability of three insect larvae (Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas morio) biodegrading polyethylene. The results demonstrated that G. mellonella has the best digestion ability on polyethylene. Eating and digestion of plastic products for a long time will inevitably cause negative effects on insects. The additional nutrients can improve the health of the PE-degrading insects, thus extending the digestion time of the plastic. Microbial degradation of polyethylene (PE) products has attracted much attention. Here, two bacterial isolates, Fictibacillus phosphorivorans A-2 and Pseudomonas sp. A-3 from the gut of PE-feeding G. mellonella, was suggested to utilize PE. Two bacterial isolates removed approximately 3.57 ± 0.30% and 2.00 ± 0.16% of PE films after 40 days at 30 ◦C, respectively. We demonstrated the ability for PE degradation of F. phosphorivorans A-2 at greater rates than Pseudomonas sp. A-3. The results suggest that supplementing the co-diet affected the physiological properties of the PE-degrading insect and plastic biodegradation. This study enriched microbial resources for PE degradation and provided promising evidence for the biodegradation of PE in the environment.
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This study compared the ability of two wax moth species to biodegrade low-density polyethylene plastic, finding both larvae could break down LDPE with gut microbiota playing an important role. The findings suggest potential for insect-based plastic biodegradation as a waste management approach.
Beyond Microbial Biodegradation: Plastic Degradation by Galleria mellonella
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Researchers reviewed the ability of the wax moth larva Galleria mellonella to degrade various types of plastic, including polyethylene. The study highlights this insect as one of the most promising biological approaches to plastic waste degradation, as it produces enzymes capable of breaking down polyethylene, offering a potential complement to microbial biodegradation strategies.
Biodegradation of Polyethylene by Enterobacter sp. D1 from the Guts of Wax Moth Galleria mellonella
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Researchers isolated the bacterium Enterobacter sp. D1 from the gut of wax moth larvae and found it capable of biodegrading polyethylene film. After 14 days of cultivation, the bacteria formed colonies on the plastic surface and caused visible damage including roughness and cracks. The study suggests that gut bacteria from plastic-consuming insects could offer potential avenues for developing biological approaches to plastic waste management.
Biodegradation of Polyethylene and Polystyrene by Greater Wax Moth Larvae (Galleria mellonella L.) and the Effect of Co-diet Supplementation on the Core Gut Microbiome
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This study tested whether co-feeding larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella with supplementary diet could enhance survival while maintaining their ability to biodegrade polyethylene and polystyrene plastics. The results show that larvae can degrade both polymer types when fed co-diets, offering a potential avenue for biological plastic breakdown.
Physicochemical and structural evidence that Bacillus cereus isolated from the gut of waxworms (Galleria mellonella larvae) biodegrades polypropylene efficiently in vitro
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Researchers isolated Bacillus cereus from the gut of Galleria mellonella (waxworm) larvae and demonstrated its ability to efficiently biodegrade polypropylene in vitro, confirming surface degradation via scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, with implications for microbial approaches to plastic waste management.
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