Scientists find plastic-decomposing abilities of African mealworm

Nairobi-based researchers from the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) announced a breakthrough in plastic waste reduction involving the lesser mealworm.

Scientists at ICIPE have discovered that larvae of the darkling beetle species, Alphitobius diaperinus, can consume plastics, offering a promising solution to global plastic pollution.

Fathiya Khamis, a senior scientist and lead researcher on the study, explained that the mealworm larvae host a unique gut bacteria consortium, enabling them to digest plastic. 

“Mealworms, though often mistaken for ordinary worms, are larvae of darkling beetles. Globally, Tenebrio molitor yellow mealworms have been used to biodegrade plastic. However, this marks the first recorded instance of plastic-decomposing abilities in Africa’s native lesser mealworm,” Khamis stated in Nairobi.

Khamis noted that Africa, which produces 5% and consumes 4% of global plastic, faces rising pollution levels due to increasing single-use plastic. The team’s research focused on testing the lesser mealworm’s ability to digest polystyrene, a major microplastic accumulating in landfills and water bodies.

Abdou Tenkouano, ICIPE’s director-general, emphasized the study’s potential for a circular economy, saying, “We can leverage this knowledge to address plastic waste pollution while harnessing the nutritional benefits of mealworms, which are considered highly nutritious and edible insects.”

This discovery also advances bioremediation science, which uses microbes to clean contaminated ecosystems, including soil and groundwater. 

Evalyne Ndotono, a co-researcher, shared that the team is now investigating how mealworms consume polystyrene and if they derive any nutritional value from it. 

She highlighted that polystyrene, used in Styrofoam products, is prevalent in food storage, packaging, disposable utensils, and construction insulation.

Source: Xinhua