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Oxidation of Low-Density Polyethylene, Expanded Polystyrene, and Oxo-Biodegradable Plastics by Galleria mellonella
Original title: Oxidación de Polietileno de Baja Densidad, Poliestireno Expandido y Plásticos Oxo-Biodegradables por Galleria mellonella
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This Spanish-language study investigates the oxidation processes of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and expanded polystyrene under environmental conditions. Oxidation alters the physical and chemical properties of these plastics, accelerating fragmentation into smaller particles. The research contributes to understanding how common plastic materials degrade and potentially release microplastics into the environment.
Los polímeros plásticos son comunes en varias actividades, pero su contaminación supone un grave peligro para la salud de los animales, las personas y el medio ambiente. Adicionalmente, la acumulación de residuos plásticos en el entorno es una inquietud en aumento. Por ello, el propósito de esta investigación fue evaluar la capacidad de las larvas de Galleria mellonella para biodegradar plásticos de polietileno de baja densidad (LDPE), poliestireno expandido (EPS) y oxo-biodegradable. El diseño del experimento consistió en colocar las larvas en platos Petri que contenían muestras de los distintos polímeros ya cortados y pesados, para calcular el grado de consumo, a temperaturas de 25 °C y 33 °C. Para observar detalladamente la película de los plásticos LDPE y oxo-biodegradables, se aplicó microscopía electrónica de barrido. También espectrometría de infrarrojos para determinar las huellas de los distintos componentes resultantes de la digestión de las larvas y para observar cambios en la estructura química de los polímeros. Se realizaron pruebas químicas: Si/No de glicoles. El grado de consumo de las larvas resultó más eficaz en los ensayos a 25 °C. Por medio de los análisis de microscopía y la técnica de infrarrojos, se confirmó que hay cambios físicos y químicos. La prueba de Si/No glicoles no permitió determinar la presencia de etilenglicol, ya que resultó positiva en todas las muestras, incluyendo los controles. Cada uno de los resultados sirve como base para redireccionar futuras investigaciones y descubrir todas las posibilidades de las larvas de G. mellonella en la biodegradación de polietileno.
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"Researchers compared two wax moth species as plastic-degrading agents, finding that Galleria mellonella degrades a broad range of plastics including LDPE and polystyrene, while Achroia grisella excels specifically at breaking down HDPE, suggesting co-deployment of both species could maximize bioremediation of diverse plastic waste."
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