Biodegradation of Polyethylene and Plastic Mixtures in Mealworms (Larvae of<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) and Effects on the Gut Microbiome

Brandon, Anja Malawi; Gao, Shuhong; Tian, Renmao; Ning, Daliang; Yang, Shan-Shan; Zhou, Jizhong; Wu, Wei‐Min; Criddle, Craig S.

doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b02301

Cited by 425 publications

(355 citation statements)

References 28 publications

(95 reference statements)

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“…However, polymers with greater crystallinity, such as polyethylene, may be more resistant. Nonetheless, Brandon et al () observed similar rates of degradation of polyethylene and polystyrene by mealworms and that this was facilitated by adaption of their microbiomes. Microbial growth during use is a concern in a number of plastic applications, such as kitchenware.…”

Section: The Nature Of Plastics and Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

733

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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Section: The Nature Of Plastics and Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

733

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Marine bacteria are potential candidates for use in the biodegradation of plastic wastes [150]. PS is known to biodegrade in the gut of yellow mealworms [151]. Many fungal strains can also degrade several plastics, such as PVC, PHB, and PLA [39].…”

Section: Solutions For Reducing Plastic Micromaterials and Nanomaterialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potent Impact of Plastic Nanomaterials and Micromaterials on the Food Chain and Human Health

Wang

Lee

Chiu

et al. 2020

IJMS

138

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Plastic products are inexpensive, convenient, and are have many applications in daily life. We overuse plastic-related products and ineffectively recycle plastic that is difficult to degrade. Plastic debris can be fragmented into smaller pieces by many physical and chemical processes. Plastic debris that is fragmented into microplastics or nanoplastics has unclear effects on organismal systems. Recently, this debris was shown to affect biota and to be gradually spreading through the food chain. In addition, studies have indicated that workers in plastic-related industries develop many kinds of cancer because of chronic exposure to high levels of airborne microplastics. Microplastics and nanoplastics are everywhere now, contaminating our water, air, and food chain. In this review, we introduce a classification of plastic polymers, define microplastics and nanoplastics, identify plastics that contaminate food, describe the damage and diseases caused by microplastics and nanoplastics, and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of this damage and disease as well as solutions for their amelioration. Thus, we expect to contribute to the understanding of the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on cellular and molecular mechanisms and the ways that the uptake of microplastics and nanoplastics are potentially dangerous to our biota. After understanding the issues, we can focus on how to handle the problems caused by plastic overuse.

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“…This finding was replicated with T. molitor populations from several regions of the world (Yang, Chen, et al, ) as well as its congener T. obscurus (Peng et al, ). T. molitor was also found to be able to biodegrade polyethylene in much the same manner (Brandon et al, ). Kundungal et al () fed polyethylene film alone or with beeswax to larvae of the lesser wax moth Achroia grisella and observed partial biodegradation, with some of the plastic excreted in faeces.…”

Section: Microbes and Fauna: Increased Palatability And Further Fragmmentioning

confidence: 88%

Towards an ecology of soil microplastics

2019

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Microplastic pollution is a topic of increasing concern for the world's oceans, freshwaters and, most recently, soils. Microplastics have been found in soils across the globe. Like other anthropogenic pollutants, they can negatively affect a range of soil organisms through several mechanisms, though often dependent on particle size, shape and polymer type. However, microplastics are unique among pollutants due to the diversity of ways in which soil organisms may themselves be able to affect their occurrence and distribution and mediate their effects on the rest of the soil food web. In this review, we argue for a more explicitly ecological framing of this novel issue for the soil environment and discuss their potential interactions with soil communities, including microplastic formation via microbial and faunal fragmentation of large plastic debris and organisms such as earthworms placing microplastic particles in unique pedological contexts they could not otherwise reach. Ecological interactions may be crucial for dictating microplastics’ ultimate fate and effect on terrestrial ecosystems. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

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Biodegradation of Polyethylene and Plastic Mixtures in Mealworms (Larvae ofTenebrio molitor) and Effects on the Gut Microbiome

Cited by 425 publications

References 28 publications

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Potent Impact of Plastic Nanomaterials and Micromaterials on the Food Chain and Human Health

Towards an ecology of soil microplastics

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