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Is the gut microbiome of insects a potential source to meet UN sustainable development goals to eliminate plastic pollution?
Summary
This perspective paper explores whether cockroaches — which tolerate extreme conditions and digest diverse organic materials — and their gut microbiota could serve as a biological resource for breaking down plastic waste. The authors propose investigating cockroach-associated enzymes and microbes as a novel bioremediation tool aligned with UN sustainable development goals on plastic pollution reduction. While speculative, the concept opens a new avenue in the search for organisms that can naturally degrade persistent plastics.
As insects such as cockroaches can endure high radiation, flourish in unsanitary circumstances, thrive on germ-infested feed, and can even digest the organic polymer cellulose, the gut microbiota of these species likely produces enzymes contributing to their ability to digest a variety of materials. The use of cockroaches as a bio-resource to eliminate plastic is discussed. We explore whether species such as cockroaches are a potential bio-resource to eliminate plastic pollution and contribute to the sustainable development goals adopted by the United Nations as well as the global community to reduce and/or eliminate plastic pollution.