Australian researchers report a polystyrene eating worm species in Microbial Genomics. They confirmed that the common superworm can digest a cultivar of Zophobas morio plastic, mainly polystyrene, thanks to a bacterial enzyme in its gut. This discovery opens a promising avenue for addressing the plastic pollution that contaminates ecosystems worldwide.
Dr Chris Rinke and his team from the University of Queensland School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences tested the worms on different diets over a three week period. Some worms received styrofoam, others bran, and a group faced a starvation baseline.
They observed that worms fed the styrofoam diet not only endured but gained some weight. The presumption is that the worms obtain energy from styrofoam with help from their gut microbes.
Using a metagenomics approach, the researchers identified several cell encoded enzymes with the capability to break down polystyrene and styrene. The long term objective is to design enzymes that will accelerate plastic waste breakdown in recycling facilities through mechanical degradation followed by enzymatic steps.
Super worms are described as tiny recycling hubs. They grind the styrofoam with their mouthparts and pass the resulting material to microbes in the gut. The breakdown products may be converted by other microbes into high value compounds such as bioplastics.
This biorecycling supports plastic waste reduction and limits discharges to the environment. PhD candidate Jiarui Sun, who cultivates gut bacteria in the laboratory, continues testing the worm gut system for its ability to decompose polystyrene.
Researchers envision scaling the process to the level required for a full recycling facility. There are expected opportunities for broader applications of plastic waste biodegradation through continued study.
Experts emphasize steady progress to translate these insights into practical solutions for waste management and industrial recycling. The research team is committed to advancing the science to realize real world impact.
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