Plastic-Eating Worms Discovered in Africa - GreekReporter.com (original) (raw)

African plastic-eating worms can digest plastic. Credit: Scientific Reports / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Scientists have found a surprising helper in dealing with plastic waste: the lesser mealworm. This beetle larva, originally from Africa but now living in many places around the world, can eat and break down plastic, according to recent research.

This discovery could be especially useful in Asia and Africa, where plastic pollution is a major issue. According to the World Health Organization, despite contributing only about 5% of the world’s plastic waste, Africa is the second most polluted continent with plastic, while Asia remains the first.

In their study, released on September 12 in Scientific Reports, researchers showed that lesser mealworms can digest polystyrene. This plastic is often used in items like Styrofoam food containers and packing materials. Scientists are still investigating this beetle larva, as it may belong to a new, unrecognized subspecies.

First African mealworm species found to digest plastic

This discovery adds to past findings with other types of mealworms around the world. But, according to study author Fathiya Khamis from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Kenya, this is the first recorded instance of lesser mealworms, specifically from Africa, being able to digest plastic.

Plastic-Eating Insect Discovered in Kenya Is The First of Its Kind in Africa | Fathiya Khamis, The Conversation

There's been an exciting new discovery in the fight against plastic pollution: mealworm larvae that are capable of consuming polystyrene.

They join the ranks of a… pic.twitter.com/ClNkmZMaGT

— Owen Gregorian (@OwenGregorian) November 12, 2024

In their study, researchers observed that these larvae could consume nearly half of the polystyrene given to them. The breakdown process improved even further when the plastic was mixed with bran or grain husks.

The mealworms’ ability to eat plastic comes from helpful bacteria in their gut. These tiny microbes, including types called Kluyvera, Lactococcus, and Klebsiella, help break down plastic into simpler parts that the mealworms can safely digest.

Bacteria in mealworms show promise for plastic breakdown

These bacteria release enzymes that help digest the plastic. Increasing the number of these bacteria or enzymes in mealworms might make them even more efficient at processing plastic without harming the insects.

In the future, scientists hope to pinpoint the exact bacterial strains and enzymes responsible for breaking down polystyrene. This knowledge could lead to new recycling methods that use these enzymes to handle plastic waste.

Researchers suggest this study could eventually open a path to transform plastic waste into valuable insect protein for animal feed.

Study co-author Evalyne Ndotono, who conducted this research for her master’s studies at ICIPE, explained that they plan to investigate how the bacteria in lesser mealworms break down plastic.

“We will also explore the mechanisms of the bacteria in the lesser mealworm in the degradation of plastic. We want to understand if the bacteria are inherent in the mealworms, or if they are a defence strategy acquired after feeding on plastic,” she noted.