![]() The mealworms also consumed low density polyethylene (LDPE) foam as sole diet. At ambient temperature (20-24 oC), the average daily consumption rate of PS ranged from 0.01 to 0.3 mg per 100 mealworms when fed PS alone. All of the mealworms tested consume PS although at different relative rates. The generality of plastic eating behavior of mealworms and biodegradation has been observed by testing mealworms from 11 different sources in China and the USA. Physical and chemical analysis as well 13C labeled tests confirmed the biodegradation and mineralization of PS. Gut microbiota plays a major role in PS biodegradation because the degradation is nearly completely inhibited when mealworms were fed with antibiotics. PS degradation was performed initially via depolymerization and then degradation within the mealworm guts. Plastic particles could penetrate into groundwater and become potential threats to our groundwater Our recent research demonstrated that mealworm (larvae of Tenebrio molitor ), which are commercially used as animal and bird food and insect protein, can biodegrade PS and convert it to CO2 up within 48% within 12-14 hrs in mealworm gut. They include polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE) and others. Pollution of waste plastics in soil, river, ocean, landfill and potentially groundwater has been a major environment concern for decades.
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