Polyethylene degradation by larvae of wax moth

Kapahi, Nikhita; Marwaha, Lovleen

doi:10.5958/0974-4576.2022.00107.4

Cited by 1 publication

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“…¨Journal of Environmental Biology, September 2023M aterials and Methods Collection, identification and laboratory rearing of test organisms: Samples of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) and Achoria grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) were collected from Bee farm (Big Bee Agro), Doraha Punjab, India. Test organisms were identified from visualisations and descriptions, and morphological characteristics of the collected eggs, larvae, pupae and adults (Ellis et al, 2013;Kapahi and Marwaha 2022;Marwaha, 2022;2023;Kaur et al, 2023). The selected larval species were colonized in an insectory under controlled temperature (27 ± 5°C), photoperiod (dark 24 hours), and humidity (60 to 75%) on artificial diet consisting of bran, honey, glycerine, tap water, and ground brood comb (Ellis et al, 2013).…”

Section: O N L I N E C O P Ymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, the larvae of greater wax moths are known to biodegrade macro as well as microplastics (Bombelli et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2019) but naturally these larvae feed on honey comb (Marwaha, 2022;2023;Kaur, et.al., 2023) which is composed of long hydrocarbon chains and fatty esters. Also, LDPE is itself a long hydrocarbon chain with structural similarities to bee wax (Kong et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The carboxylate is either stored or used to produce energy via β oxidation and Tri-carboxylic acid cycle that insects consume. (Lemoine et al, 2020;Kapahi and Marwaha, 2022). Wax moths may provide a long-term solution to the biodegradation of plastic waste in nature.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Comparison study on low-density polyethylene film biodegradation potential of Achoria grisella and Galleria mellonella larvae

Kapahi,

Marwaha,

Kaur

et al. 2023

JEB

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Aim: The current research investigates biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) facilitated with and without gut microbiota in Galleria mellonella and Achoria grisella. Methodology: A batch of 50 larvae of Galleria mellonella and Achoria grisella administered with antibiotics (A group) along with larvae not fed with antibiotics (WA group) were exposed to LDPE film. After biodegradation, the weight loss of degraded LDPE film, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis were performed to confirm the plastic biodegradation potential of selected insects. Results: In a and WA groups, the post-biodegradation for a selected species of wax moth exhibited weight loss of 2.763%, 0.789%, 5.403% and 1.481%, respectively. The SEM images revealed that both A and WA groups were capable of LDPE film disintegration. The FTIR of biodegraded film confirmed the deterioration of LDPE by indicating a change in the typical peaks of C−H and H−C−H bonds that points out the biodegradation of polyethylene.Further, the thermogravimetric analysis showed a substantial mass loss in the LDPE flakes consumed by the insects, demonstrating a decline in the thermal stabilities of disintegrated polymers. GC-MS of frass validated the presence of many component groups, including alkanes, alcohols, esters, ethers and acids, which confirmed the biodegradation of LDPE. Interpretation: Wax worms possess the capacity to biodegrade LDPE, independent of gut microbiota Key words: Achoria grisella, Antibiotic, Galleria mellonella, Low-density polyethylene

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