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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to BIODEGRADATION OF POLYSTYRENE BY PLASTIVORES GREATER WAXWORMS LARVAE (Galleria mellonella).
ClearA potential enzymatic pathway for polystyrene degradation using saliva of greater wax moth Galleria mellonella
Researchers investigated whether saliva from the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella larvae contains enzymes capable of degrading polystyrene, identifying a potential enzymatic pathway that could offer a biodegradation route for this highly persistent synthetic polymer.
Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Galleria mellonella: Identification of Potential Enzymes Involved in the Degradative Pathway
This study confirmed that larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella can biodegrade polystyrene, one of the most resistant plastics, and identified candidate enzymes involved in the degradation process. Researchers used proteomics to pinpoint enzymes in the larval gut, providing insights that could inform future biotechnological approaches to plastic waste management.
Complete digestion/biodegradation of polystyrene microplastics by greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae: Direct in vivo evidence, gut microbiota independence, and potential metabolic pathways
Researchers provided direct in vivo evidence that greater wax moth larvae can completely digest polystyrene microplastics, demonstrating that biodegradation occurs independently of gut microbiota and identifying potential metabolic pathways involved in the breakdown process.
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
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.
A novel Gordonia sp. PS3 isolated from the gut of Galleria mellonella larvae: Mechanism of polystyrene biodegradation and environmental toxicological evaluation
Researchers isolated a new bacterial strain, Gordonia sp. PS3, from the gut of wax moth larvae that can break down polystyrene microplastics with about a 34 percent degradation rate over 40 days. They identified specific enzymes responsible for the breakdown and confirmed the process produces non-toxic byproducts. The discovery points to a promising biological approach for addressing polystyrene plastic pollution in the environment.
Isolation, Identification, and Characterization of Polystyrene-Degrading Bacteria From the Gut of Galleria Mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Larvae
A polystyrene-degrading bacterium identified as Massilia sp. was isolated from the gut of greater wax moth larvae, and characterization confirmed it could break down polystyrene, depolymerize the benzene ring structure, and reduce polymer molecular weight when grown on PS as the sole carbon source, making it a candidate for biotechnology applications.
Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Tenebrio molitor, Galleria mellonella, and Zophobas atratus Larvae and Comparison of Their Degradation Effects
Researchers compared polystyrene biodegradation by three insect larvae species, finding that superworms consumed the most plastic and converted it most efficiently into low-molecular-weight substances, while all three species harbored gut bacteria from the genera Enterococcus and Enterobacteriaceae that appear to drive the degradation process.
Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Tenebrionidae Larvae
Researchers tested the ability of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and superworm (Zophobas morio) larvae to biodegrade polystyrene foam through feeding experiments with different dietary conditions. They found that both species could consume and break down polystyrene, with gut microorganisms playing a key role in the degradation process. The study suggests that insect-based biodegradation could offer a biological approach to addressing polystyrene waste in the environment.
Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Tenebrionidae Larvae
Researchers examined the biodegradation of polystyrene by Tenebrionidae beetle larvae, testing the ability of plastic-eating mealworm larvae to break down the highly stable, hydrophobic polymer. The study characterized polymer molecular weight changes, gut microbiome contributions, and metabolic byproducts, demonstrating that larval gut bacteria play a key role in PS depolymerization.
Nature’s solution to degrade long-chain hydrocarbons: A life cycle study of beeswax and plastic eating insect larvae
Researchers examined the lifecycle stages of three beeswax-eating insect larvae species (Galleria mellonella, Achroia grisella, and Uloma sp.) and measured their ability to degrade beeswax, polyethylene, and polystyrene under laboratory conditions. They found that all three insect larvae caused measurable weight loss in polyethylene and polystyrene feeds over time, confirming biodegradation capacity and identifying these species as potential biological agents for plastic waste degradation.
Physicochemical and structural evidence that Bacillus cereus isolated from the gut of waxworms (Galleria mellonella larvae) biodegrades polypropylene efficiently in vitro
Researchers isolated Bacillus cereus from the gut of Galleria mellonella (waxworm) larvae and demonstrated its ability to efficiently biodegrade polypropylene in vitro, confirming surface degradation via scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, with implications for microbial approaches to plastic waste management.
Comparison of three insect larvae biodegrading polyethylene and role of the intestinal bacterial strains in polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella larvae
Compared to two other insect species, Galleria mellonella waxworm larvae showed the highest polyethylene degradation ability, with gut bacterial strains identified as key contributors to plastic breakdown in a process transferable outside the host.
Beyond Microbial Biodegradation: Plastic Degradation by Galleria mellonella
Researchers reviewed the ability of the wax moth larva Galleria mellonella to degrade various types of plastic, including polyethylene. The study highlights this insect as one of the most promising biological approaches to plastic waste degradation, as it produces enzymes capable of breaking down polyethylene, offering a potential complement to microbial biodegradation strategies.
Wax worm saliva and the enzymes therein are the key to polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella
Researchers discovered that the saliva of wax worm larvae (Galleria mellonella) can oxidize and begin breaking down polyethylene plastic within hours at room temperature, identifying two specific enzymes responsible — the first animal-derived enzymes known to initiate plastic degradation, offering a promising biological tool for tackling plastic waste.
Gut Microbiome and Degradation Product Formation during Biodegradation of Expanded Polystyrene by Mealworm Larvae under Different Feeding Strategies
Researchers found that mealworm larvae successfully degrade polystyrene under different feeding strategies, with gut microbiome composition and degradation byproduct profiles varying by diet, demonstrating that diet manipulation can optimize the biological plastic-degradation capacity of the mealworm system.
Plastic Biodegradation through Insects and their Symbionts Microbes: A Review
This review examines how insects and their gut microbes can break down plastic waste, covering species like mealworms and waxworms that can digest polyethylene and polystyrene. The bacteria living in insect guts are responsible for much of this plastic-degrading activity. Insect-based biodegradation could offer a scalable biological solution to reducing plastic pollution.
Wax worm saliva and the enzymes therein are the key to polyethylene degradation by Galleria mellonella
Researchers found that the saliva of Galleria mellonella (wax worm) larvae can oxidize and depolymerize polyethylene at room temperature within hours, overcoming the critical initial oxidation bottleneck in plastic biodegradation. Two specific enzymes within the saliva were identified as responsible for this capability, representing the first discovery of enzymes able to break down polyethylene under mild physiological conditions.
Consumption of polypropylene by Galleria mellonella (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) larvae did not cause degenerative changes in internal organs
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.
Optimizing polystyrene degradation, microbial community and metabolite analysis of intestinal flora of yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor.
Yellow mealworm larvae fed only expanded polystyrene were found to biodegrade the plastic, with the efficiency depending on temperature and humidity conditions. The gut microbiome of the larvae played a key role, and researchers identified metabolic pathways involved in polystyrene breakdown, advancing understanding of insect-based plastic biodegradation.
Biodegradation of aged polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae)
Yellow mealworm larvae were able to consume and biodegrade both fresh and aged polyethylene film and polystyrene foam over a 35-day period. While aged plastics slightly slowed larval growth, the worms still broke down the plastic with help from their gut bacteria, confirmed by chemical analysis showing structural changes in the consumed plastic. This biological approach to plastic degradation could help reduce the amount of plastic waste that eventually breaks down into microplastics in the environment.
Technological application potential of polyethylene and polystyrene biodegradation by macro-organisms such as mealworms and wax moth larvae
Researchers tested polyethylene biodegradation by mealworms and wax moth larvae across multiple experimental setups, finding that while live larvae altered LDPE surface morphology, homogenized larval paste produced no detectable mass loss or ethylene glycol, suggesting a mechanism beyond gut microbiome action alone. Techno-economic and life cycle assessment analysis indicated that scaling this process as a plastic waste management technology is currently not feasible.
Biodegradation of Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene with Different Diets by Using Zophobas atratus Larvae (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)
Zophobas atratus larvae (superworms) biodegraded both expanded and extruded polystyrene, with supplement diets of oatmeal, wheat bran, and cornmeal significantly enhancing consumption and degradation rates, and gel permeation chromatography confirming significant molecular weight reduction of the polystyrene.
Physicochemical and Structural Evidence that Bacillus cereus Isolated from the Gut of Waxworms (Galleria mellonella Larvae) Biodegrades Polypropylene Efficiently In Vitro
Researchers isolated Bacillus cereus bacteria from waxworm gut microbiota and demonstrated that it biodegrades polypropylene plastic in vitro by oxidizing the polymer surface to form carbonyl and hydroxyl groups, with high-temperature gel permeation chromatography confirming measurable molecular weight reduction — pointing to potential enzymes for future plastic-degradation applications.
Biodegradation of Post-Consumer Expanded Polystyrene and Low-Density Polyethylene by Tenebrio molitor Larvae
Scientists found that mealworms (beetle larvae) can actually break down used plastic bags and foam containers by eating them and changing their chemical structure. The mealworms produce waste that contains smaller plastic pieces and chemical compounds, which could potentially reduce plastic pollution in the environment. This research is important because it shows a natural way to help deal with the massive amounts of plastic waste that currently pile up in landfills and oceans.