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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Mitigation effects of short-chain fatty acids on microplastic accumulation in plastic-degrading Zophobas morio larvae and mechanistic insights
ClearUnveiling 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.
Biodegradation of polystyrene microplastics by superworms (larve of Zophobas atratus): Gut microbiota transition, and putative metabolic ways
Researchers fed polystyrene microplastics to superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae) and found reduced survival and weight, along with major shifts in gut microbial communities including an increase in Hafnia-Obesumbacterium. Metabolomic analysis identified three metabolic pathways through which superworm gut microbes break down polystyrene.
Generation and Fate of Nanoplastics in the Intestine of Plastic-Degrading Insect (Tenebrio molitor Larvae) during Polystyrene Microplastic Biodegradation
Researchers tracked what happens to nanoplastics inside mealworm larvae as they digest polystyrene microplastics. They found that nanoplastics were generated during digestion and initially accumulated in gut tissues and glands, but concentrations declined over four weeks and eventually fell below detection limits, suggesting the larvae and their gut microbes can work together to break down even these tiny plastic particles.
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.
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.
Understanding the Ecological Robustness and Adaptability of the Gut Microbiome in Plastic-Degrading Superworms (Zophobas atratus) in Response to Microplastics and Antibiotics
Researchers studied superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae) that can eat and break down five major types of plastic, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. They found that the gut microbiome of these insects adapted to digest different plastics even when challenged with antibiotics, suggesting the larvae and their gut bacteria work together in a robust system that could inform future plastic biodegradation strategies.
Microplastics affected black soldier fly (Hermetiaillucens) pupation and short chain fatty acids
Researchers exposed black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae to polypropylene microplastics and found that MP exposure delayed pupation, altered larval development, and shifted gut short-chain fatty acid profiles, suggesting that microplastics disrupt both development and gut microbiome function in this widely used bioconversion insect.
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 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.
Influence of Polymer Size on Polystyrene Biodegradation in Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor): Responses of Depolymerization Pattern, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolome to Polymers with Low to Ultrahigh Molecular Weight
Mealworms fed polystyrene microplastics of varying molecular weights (low to ultrahigh) over 24 days showed significant differences in biodegradation rate, gut microbiome composition, and metabolic profiles. Lower molecular weight polystyrene was biodegraded more efficiently, suggesting that polymer molecular weight is a key factor in insect-mediated plastic degradation.
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.
Exposure of black soldier fly larvae to microplastics of various sizes and shapes: Ingestion and egestion dynamics and kinetics
Researchers studied how black soldier fly larvae, used to convert food waste into animal feed, interact with microplastics of different sizes and shapes. The larvae ingested microplastics along with their food but could not fully break them down, passing most of them through in their waste. This raises food safety concerns because if microplastics persist in the larvae, they could transfer up the food chain when the larvae are used as feed for livestock or fish.
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.
Disruption of midgut homeostasis by microplastics in Spodoptera frugiperda: Insights into inflammatory and oxidative mechanisms
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect the gut of fall armyworms, a common agricultural pest insect. They found that microplastics caused gut inflammation and oxidative damage, disrupting normal gut function, which provides insight into how microplastic contamination in soil may affect insects throughout the food chain.
Plastics shape the black soldier fly larvae gut microbiome and select for biodegrading functions
Researchers found that black soldier fly larvae can adapt their gut microbiome to digest a wide range of plastics, shifting their microbial communities to favor biodegrading functions. This suggests the insects could serve as living incubators for discovering new plastic-breaking enzymes for industrial cleanup applications.
Examining the potential of plastic-fed black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) as "bioincubators" of plastic-degrading bacteria.
Researchers examined whether black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) fed on plastic waste can serve as 'bioincubators' for plastic-degrading bacteria, investigating how gut microbiota shifts in response to plastic-containing diets and whether these bacteria retain degradation activity.
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.
Retention and excretion of microplastics by Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae reared on an amino formaldehyde polymer microbeads contaminated substrate
This study examined whether yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) retain or excrete microplastics when raised on contaminated substrates, which is important since mealworms are increasingly used as a food and feed source. Results showed larvae ingested and partially excreted microplastics, raising questions about microplastic accumulation in the food chain through insect-based protein products.
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 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.
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.
Micro- and nanoplastic size affects uptake and digestive tract region residence time in black soldier fly larvae during food waste bioconversion
Researchers studied how black soldier fly larvae, increasingly used to recycle food waste, handle micro- and nanoplastics of different sizes during digestion. They found that nanoplastics remained in the gut significantly longer than larger microplastics and were retained even after the larvae stopped eating contaminated food. The findings raise concerns that nanoplastics could enter the food chain when larvae-derived products are used as animal feed or fertilizer.
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.
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.