Serbian scientists experiment with mealworms to degrade polystyrene

[Allan]

This is very cool research that could have enormous benefits. Polystyrene does degrade in sunlight and water but the outcome is microplastics. This process eliminates that unwanted outcome.

They habitually eat more or less anything, but need the training to eat the plastic products.
"We have larvae that have been adapted over a long time to biodegrade plastic, to be as efficient as possible in the process," Ilijin told Reuters.
She said the bacteria living in their guts break down the plastic into carbon dioxide and water, and showed no evidence of leaving microplastic residue in their innards or faeces.

Serbian scientists experiment with mealworms to degrade polystyrene

Serbian scientists have been experimenting with mealworms as a way to break down polystyrene.

www.reuters.com

 

[ataraxia]

Wow, this really would be a huge breakthrough!

 

[ataraxia]

I Googled this, and saw that they have also found a bacterium that can break down other plastic polymers. Promising!

Wastewater bacteria can break down plastic for food

New study finds a bacterium in the Comamonadacae family can break down the plastic for food. Researchers also identified the enzyme the bacterium use to degrade plastic. The discovery opens new possibilities for developing bacteria-based engineering solutions to help clean up difficult-to-remove...

news.northwestern.edu

 

[redbeer]

This is very cool research that could have enormous benefits. Polystyrene does degrade in sunlight and water but the outcome is microplastics. This process eliminates that unwanted outcome.

Serbian scientists experiment with mealworms to degrade polystyrene

Serbian scientists have been experimenting with mealworms as a way to break down polystyrene.

www.reuters.com

With the amount of plastics being used today, this is great news for our health and environment. Our oceans are being polluted with thousands of tons of this stuff each day......very positive news.

 

[Peacenik]

Awesome!

My ever-buoyant hope and faith in humankind is rewarded.

 

[Allan]

With the amount of plastics being used today, this is great news for our health and environment. Our oceans are being polluted with thousands of tons of this stuff each day......very positive news.

Unfortunately developing countries tend to use their waterways as garbage dumps. The waste ends up in the ocean eventually breaking down into microplastics.

Hopefully this low-tech solution becomes cheap enough that poorer countries can put it to use.