Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Isolation of culturable bacteria from gut of Zophobasmorio fed with polystyrene

Researchers isolated bacteria from the gut of Zophobas morio larvae fed polystyrene, identifying microbial communities that can survive on and potentially degrade styrofoam, offering candidates for bioremediation of difficult-to-recycle plastic waste.

2025 African Journal of Biomedical Research
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Polymers 10 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Preprints.org
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Polymers 94 citations
Article Tier 2

Tenebrio molitor Could Be an Efficient Pre-Treatment Bioagent for Polystyrene Initial Deterioration and Further Application of Pleurotus eryngii and Trametes versicolor in Microplastic Biodegradation

Researchers found that Tenebrio molitor beetle larvae can initiate polystyrene degradation, but their frass still contains microplastics — however, subsequent cultivation of Pleurotus eryngii and Trametes versicolor fungi on this frass further degraded the residual polystyrene, demonstrating a two-stage biological system for plastic breakdown.

2025 Polymers 2 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Pertanika journal of tropical agricultural science 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Pengurai Sampah Plastik Ramah Lingkungan

This review examined the mechanisms by which bacteria, fungi, and insect larvae break down plastic waste, covering different enzymatic strategies used by each type of organism. Biological plastic degradation offers a low-cost, environmentally friendly approach to addressing plastic pollution.

2023 Bincang Sains dan Teknologi 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradation of Different Types of Plastics by Tenebrio molitor Insect

This study reviewed the potential of mealworm beetle larvae (Tenebrio molitor) to biodegrade multiple plastic types through gut microbiota activity, finding that the larvae could break down various polymers including polystyrene and polyethylene, making entomoremediation a promising avenue for plastic waste reduction.

2021 Polymers 82 citations
Article Tier 2

KAPASITAS LARVA BLACK SOLDIER FLY (Hermetia illucens Linnaeus, 1758) DALAM MENDEGRADASI LIMBAH ORGANIK YANG TERKONTAMINASI MIKROPLASTIK

Indonesian researchers tested the ability of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae to degrade organic waste contaminated with polyethylene (PE) and PET microplastics. The larvae demonstrated measurable degradation of plastic-contaminated organic waste, suggesting a biologically-based approach to managing plastic-mixed organic waste.

2025 Digital Library UIN Sunan Kalijaga (Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University)
Article Tier 2

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.

2026 Microplastics
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Bioresource technology
Article Tier 2

Unveiling Fragmentation of Plastic Particles during Biodegradation of Polystyrene and Polyethylene Foams in Mealworms: Highly Sensitive Detection and Digestive Modeling Prediction

Researchers discovered that mealworms biodegrading polystyrene and polyethylene foams generate micro- and nanoplastic fragments during the digestion process, despite removing over 70% of the ingested plastic. The study developed a digestive biofragmentation model to predict plastic fragmentation patterns, suggesting that insect-based plastic biodegradation may create secondary contamination that warrants further assessment.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Biodegradación de espumas plásticas por larvas de insectos: ¿una estrategia sustentable?

This review examines the biodegradation of plastic foams by insect larvae, particularly mealworms and waxworms, as a potential sustainable strategy for managing plastic waste. Researchers discuss the enzymatic mechanisms involved, current limitations in scale-up, and prospects for integrating insect-based degradation into waste management systems.

2021 TIP Revista Especializada en Ciencias Químico-Biológicas 5 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 113 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Molecules 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Feeding and metabolism effects of three common microplastics on Tenebrio molitor L.

Mealworm larvae from three Chinese regions were fed microplastics (polystyrene, PVC, and LDPE) and were found to actually break down some of the plastic in their gut. The ability of mealworms to partially degrade certain plastics makes them a potential tool for biological plastic waste management.

2018 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Tenebrio molitor: possible source of polystyrene-degrading bacteria

Researchers identified that Klebsiella oxytoca bacteria, found in the gut of mealworm beetles (Tenebrio molitor), may be key players in breaking down polystyrene plastic, pointing to insects as a potential source of microbe-based plastic biodegradation solutions.

2022 BMC Biotechnology 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Cockroach Blaptica dubia biodegrades polystyrene plastics: Insights for superior ability, microbiome and host genes

Researchers discovered that the cockroach species Blaptica dubia can effectively biodegrade polystyrene plastic, digesting nearly half of ingested material within 24 hours. They identified specific gut bacteria and enzymes responsible for breaking down the plastic polymer chains. The finding opens up new possibilities for biological approaches to plastic waste management using insect-microbiome systems.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 20 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Polystyrene shaping effect on the enriched bacterial community from the plastic-eating Alphitobius diaperinus (Insecta: Coleoptera)

Researchers enriched and identified bacteria from the gut of polystyrene-fed lesser mealworm beetles, isolating Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas species that attached to plastic surfaces, confirming these microbes as promising candidates for breaking down polystyrene waste.

2022 Symbiosis 24 citations