We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Interplay between different cytotoxic parameters in Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) larvae fed with polypropylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Galleria mellonella larvae fed polypropylene bags for 24–48 hours showed no significant cytotoxic effects—no major cell death, caspase activation, or mitochondrial damage—suggesting the species can tolerate PP ingestion without cellular harm. This finding supports the potential use of wax moth larvae as biodegradation agents for polypropylene, a ubiquitous microplastic source, without compromising the insect's cellular viability.
Plastic waste, which pollutes water and soil and negatively impacts organisms, is currently a major ecological problem. Therefore, methods for its degradation are being sought, including biodegradation using various organisms to dispose of plastics. One invertebrate animal suspected of being used in plastic biodegradation is Galleria mellonella (Insecta, Lepidoptera). However, there is no data on whether plastics ingested by this insect’s larvae will induce cytotoxic effects in cells, tissues, or organs, which would exclude this species from biodegradation. The aim of this study was to determine whether G. mellonella larvae, after consuming a popular plastic, polypropylene (PP), activate specific cytotoxic parameters. Larvae of the studied species were fed PP bags for 24 and 48 h. Control (G0-C) and starved (G0-S) individuals were also analyzed to determine whether cytotoxic effects could be attributed to factors such as a lack of normal food. Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were changes, employed to investigate cell death processes, caspase and Bcl-2 protein activation, and mitochondrial alterations. The results of our studies suggest that G. mellonella may be considered as a potential candidate used in the biodegradation of PP.
More Papers Like This
Consumption of polypropylene by Galleria mellonella (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) larvae did not cause degenerative changes in internal organs
AI summary Read the abstract
This study found that greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae can consume polypropylene plastic without suffering organ damage, confirming that this insect species tolerates plastic ingestion well and supporting its potential use in biodegradation applications. The gut microbiome is believed responsible for breaking down the plastic, pointing toward a biological route for reducing polypropylene waste that is the precursor to significant environmental microplastic contamination.
Effect of Co-Diet Supplementation on Biodegradation of Polyethylene by Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated the ability of greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella) to biodegrade polyethylene films of varying densities, finding that thinner, lower-density films were consumed most rapidly and that supplementing larvae with beeswax as a co-diet maintained high degradation rates while minimizing larval weight loss, suggesting a practical biological approach for plastic waste reduction.
Biodegradation of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polylactic acid microplastics in Tenebrio molitor larvae: Physiological responses
AI summary Read the abstract
Mealworms were fed three types of microplastics (PVC, polystyrene, and PLA) and successfully biodegraded all three, but with significant physiological costs including weight loss, reduced survival, and increased oxidative stress. PVC was the hardest to degrade and caused the most harm, while biodegradable PLA was the easiest and least damaging. The study shows that biological approaches to breaking down microplastics are possible but that certain plastic types generate toxic byproducts during the process.
Polyethylene fragments affected the development of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastic fragments caused mechanical damage to the cuticle of greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella), interfering with development and causing death in a previously unreported lethal mechanism. This finding suggests microplastics in soil can directly harm insect development through physical injury, not just chemical toxicity.
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
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.