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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Tenebrio molitor in the circular economy: a novel approach for plastic valorisation and PHA biological recovery
ClearBiodegradation of polylactic acid by yellow mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio molitor) via resource recovery: A sustainable approach for waste management
Researchers demonstrated that yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) can biodegrade polylactic acid plastic with up to 90.9% conversion efficiency on a pure PLA diet and proposed a circular waste management approach where PLA plastic serves as feedstock for insect biomass production and the resulting frass is used as fertilizer.
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.
Responses of gut microbiomes to commercial polyester polymer biodegradation in Tenebrio molitor Larvae
Researchers demonstrated that mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) can rapidly biodegrade commercial polyethylene terephthalate microplastics, with gut microbiome analysis revealing specific bacterial communities that shift in response to PET consumption and enable its breakdown.
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 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.
The Digestive Master of the Insect World: The Digestive System and Application Value of Mealworms
This review examines the digestive system of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), highlighting their remarkable capacity to break down complex substrates including plastics and lignocellulosic materials, and discusses the microbial mechanisms and potential biotechnological applications of their digestive capabilities for waste degradation.
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.
Biodegradation of various grades of polyethylene microplastics by Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus larvae: Effects on their physiology
Mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus) were fed different grades of polyethylene plastic to test their ability to biodegrade this common plastic. Both species could consume and partially break down all three types of polyethylene, though the process caused oxidative stress and shifted their gut bacteria. This research suggests biological degradation of plastic waste is possible, which could help reduce the environmental breakdown of plastics into harmful microplastics.
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.
Insect farming: A bioeconomy-based opportunity to revalorize plastic wastes
Researchers propose a two-step system for managing plastic waste using insects. First, mealworm larvae partially break down plastics like polystyrene and polyethylene, and their microplastic-containing waste is then converted into biochar through high-heat treatment. The biochar is then used to enrich compost processed by black soldier fly larvae, creating a nutrient-rich soil amendment while addressing both plastic waste and organic waste in a circular approach.
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.
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.
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.
Biodegradation of polyethylene, biodegradable-polyethylene bags and corn residues using Tenebrio molitor larvae
This Spanish-language study tested the ability of mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) to biodegrade different types of polyethylene plastic, including conventional LDPE and biodegradable varieties. The larvae could degrade all plastic types tested, suggesting insect-based digestion as a viable plastic waste management strategy.
Worming the Circular Economy for Biowaste and Plastics: Hermetia illucens, Tenebrio Molitor and Zophobas morio
This paper examines whether insect larvae — black soldier flies, mealworms, and superworms — can help process both organic food waste and plastics as part of a circular economy. COVID-19 increased single-use plastic waste and food waste simultaneously, making combined bioconversion solutions appealing. The authors review evidence for using these insects to reduce two major waste streams at once.
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.
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 and Carbon Resource Recovery of Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) by Mealworms: Removal Efficiency, Depolymerization Pattern, and Microplastic Residue
Researchers fed mealworms the biodegradable plastic PBAT and tracked degradation efficiency, depolymerization products, and residual microplastic generation, finding that mealworms could partially biodegrade PBAT while recovering carbon in frass, but that microplastic residues remained a concern.