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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Gut & Microbiome Remediation Sign in to save

Gut microbiome of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor Larvae) show similar responses to polystyrene and corn straw diets

Microbiome 2023 73 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Tursunay Mamtimin, Tursunay Mamtimin, Huawen Han, Qing Zhang, Huawen Han, Aman Khan, Pengya Feng, Pengya Feng, Saurabh Kulshrestha, Qing Zhang, Aman Khan, Aman Khan, Pu Liu, Xiaobiao Ma, Xiangkai Li Pu Liu, Xiaobiao Ma, Yitian Fang, Yitian Fang, Xiangkai Li Xiangkai Li Pu Liu, Xiangkai Li Saurabh Kulshrestha, Saurabh Kulshrestha, Toshiro Shigaki, Toshiro Shigaki, Xiangkai Li Xiangkai Li

Summary

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.

Polymers
PS

The high similarity of gut microbiomes adapted to biodegradation of PS and CS indicated the plastics-degrading ability of the T. molitor larvae originated through an ancient mechanism that degrades the natural lignocellulose. Video Abstract.

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