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Pemanfaatan Larva Ulat Jerman (Zophobas morio) sebagai Agen Biodegradasi Stirofoam yang Ramah Lingkungan
Summary
This Indonesian study examined whether larvae of the Zophobas morio beetle can biodegrade styrofoam (expanded polystyrene), one of the most persistent plastics contributing to microplastic pollution. The larvae were able to consume and partially break down the styrofoam, suggesting a potential low-cost biological approach for plastic waste degradation.
Stirofoam banyak digunakan sebagai kemasan makanan, minuman dan kemasan barang elektronik. Bentuknya yang mudah dicetak, ringan dan harganya yang murah menyebabkan stirofoam diminati masyarakat. Biasanya stirofoam hanya dipakai sekali dan dibuang meskipun masih layak pakai. Stirofoam menimbulkan masalah lingkungan seperti penyumbatan saluran air dan bendungan serta menjadi sarang nyamuk, lalat dan hewan vektor penyakit lainnya. Maka dari itu, perlu upaya untuk mendegradasinya. Ada berbagai cara yang bisa dipilih seperti pembakaran atau pelelehan dengan bensin atau aseton, namun seringkali masih meninggalkan residu dan membutuhkan energi dan biaya yang tidak sedikit. Penggunaan larva ulat jerman diharapkan menjadi solusi inovatif dan ramah lingkungan. Fase larva digunakan karena larva membutuhkan makanan dalam jumlah besar untuk pertumbuhannya. Makanan larva berupa sampah organik seperti buah, sayur, dedaunan, nasi dan lain-lain. Faktanya stirofoam termasuk sampah organik karena terbuat dari minyak bumi yang mengandung hidrokarbon. Diharapkan larva ulat jerman mampu menjadi solusi permasalahan lingkungan yang bersih, hemat energi dan hemat biaya sehingga bisa diaplikasikan di masyarakat secara luas. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis kemampuan larva ulat jerman sebagai agen biodegradasi stirofoam. Tahapan penelitian yaitu budidaya larva ulat jerman selama 30 hari dan analisis yang meliputi analisis viabilitas, kandungan senyawa kimia pada larva menggunakan FTIR dan SEM. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah metode eksperimental dengan pengambilan data secara kuantitatif. Pada penelitian kami, pertumbuhan ulat jerman menunjukkan sinergi negatif, sedangkan bobotnya mengalami naik-turun. Hasil uji FTIR dan SEM menunjukkan bahwa ulat jerman tidak benar-benar menelan stirofoam sehingga penelitian perlu dilakukan dengan menggunakan strain ulat jerman lainnya.
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