We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Plastic Biodegradation through Insects and their Symbionts Microbes: A Review
ClearUsing Insect Larvae and Their Microbiota for Plastic Degradation
This review summarizes research on insect larvae, including wax worms and mealworms, that can eat and break down plastic using bacteria and enzymes in their guts. Recent discoveries include novel plastic-degrading enzymes found in wax worm saliva that can begin breaking down polyethylene within hours. While still far from a large-scale solution, this biological approach to plastic degradation could eventually help reduce the microplastic pollution that threatens ecosystems and human health.
The use of insects, some land and marine invertebrates, in the biodegradation of plastic
This review examines the potential of insects and invertebrates—including mealworms, wax moths, and shipworms—to biodegrade plastics, microplastics, and nanoplastics, summarizing the gut microbiomes and enzymes involved and the prospects for practical bioremediation.
The Ability of Insects to Degrade Complex Synthetic Polymers
This review synthesizes research on insect-mediated biodegradation of synthetic polymers, examining species from Coleopteran and Lepidopteran orders — including mealworms, wax moths, and flour beetles — whose gut microbial symbionts enable breakdown of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and PVC into lower molecular weight, less toxic excreta.
Mechanisms and Perspectives of Microplastic Biodegradation by Insects and Their Associated Microorganisms
This review examined how insects and their gut microbiota contribute to microplastic biodegradation, summarizing known degradation mechanisms and the microorganisms involved. The authors found that several insect species harbor gut bacteria capable of depolymerizing common plastics like polystyrene and polyethylene, though degradation rates remain too slow for practical remediation at scale.
Can the insects Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor be the future of plastic biodegradation?
This review examines recent discoveries about how wax moth and mealworm larvae can break down common plastics using enzymes in their saliva and gut microorganisms. Researchers found that these insects offer a promising biological alternative to traditional plastic disposal methods like landfilling and incineration, which themselves contribute to microplastic pollution. The study highlights key challenges including the need for standardized testing methods and proposes innovative ideas like using insects as living bioreactors for plastic waste processing.
Mitigation of Soil Pollution by Biodegradation of Plastic Materials through Activity of Mealworms
This review examines how mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) can biodegrade plastics including polystyrene and polyethylene, and discusses their use in circular production systems. Insect-based plastic biodegradation represents a promising biological approach to reducing plastic waste before it fragments into microplastics in the environment.
Microplastics occurrence, detection and removal with emphasis on insect larvae gut microbiota
This review covers the sources, detection methods, and toxic effects of microplastics across ecosystems, with a special focus on insect larvae gut microbiota as a biological degradation tool. Researchers found that certain insect larvae, such as mealworms and waxworms, harbor gut bacteria capable of breaking down plastic polymers. The study highlights biological degradation by insect-associated microbes as a promising avenue for microplastic remediation.
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.
Plastic biodegradation by in vitro environmental microorganisms and in vivo gut microorganisms of insects
Researchers reviewed seven years of studies on plastic biodegradation by environmental microorganisms and insect gut microbes. The study found that while microbial degradation in environmental conditions is extremely slow, certain insects can biodegrade plastics like polystyrene and polyethylene at much faster rates, likely through gut microbe-dependent processes.
Comparison study on low-density polyethylene film biodegradation potential of Achoria grisella and Galleria mellonella larvae
This study compared the ability of two wax moth species to biodegrade low-density polyethylene plastic, finding both larvae could break down LDPE with gut microbiota playing an important role. The findings suggest potential for insect-based plastic biodegradation as a waste management approach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Isolation of Plastic Digesting Microbes from the Gastrointestinal Tract of Tenebrio Molitor
Researchers isolated bacteria from the gut of Tenebrio molitor mealworm larvae that are capable of degrading polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics. The identified gut microbes showed plastic-degrading enzymatic activity, suggesting potential for bioremediation applications.
Biodegradation of Polyethylene by Enterobacter sp. D1 from the Guts of Wax Moth Galleria mellonella
Researchers isolated the bacterium Enterobacter sp. D1 from the gut of wax moth larvae and found it capable of biodegrading polyethylene film. After 14 days of cultivation, the bacteria formed colonies on the plastic surface and caused visible damage including roughness and cracks. The study suggests that gut bacteria from plastic-consuming insects could offer potential avenues for developing biological approaches to plastic waste management.
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.
Environmental Biotechnology: Biodegradation of Microplastics with Larvae of Tenebrio Molitor and Galleria Mellonella
Researchers tested the ability of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae to biodegrade microplastics collected from a Peruvian beach, finding that both species could partially degrade plastic samples, supporting insect larvae as a promising biotechnology for microplastic remediation.
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 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.
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.
A toxicological perspective of plastic biodegradation by insect larvae
This review examines how larvae of certain beetle and moth species can consume and biodegrade synthetic polymers including polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene, with their gut microbiomes playing a key role in the degradation process. While promising for plastic waste management, the study also raises toxicological concerns about the breakdown intermediates and chemical additives released during biodegradation.
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.
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.