Researchers Discover Lesser Mealworm's Ability to Tackle Plastic Pollution
On Monday, scientists from the International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi revealed a promising solution to the issue of plastic waste found in the lesser mealworm.
TroibNews 
On Monday, scientists from the Nairobi-based International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology announced a promising solution to the issue of plastic waste involving the lesser mealworm.
Researchers at ICIPE discovered that the larvae of a darkling beetle species, known scientifically as Alphitobius, are capable of consuming plastics, which significantly contribute to global pollution.
Fathiya Khamis, a senior scientist at ICIPE and the lead researcher of the study, noted that the team identified a consortium of beneficial bacteria in the mealworm's gut that assists in digesting plastic.
"Although often mistaken for ordinary worms, mealworms are the larvae of the darkling beetles. Worldwide, yellow mealworms, the larvae of a darkling beetle species called Tenebrio molitor, have been used to biodegrade plastic," Khamis stated in a release from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Khamis emphasized that this marks the first instance of documenting the ability of the African native smaller mealworms to break down plastics.
She pointed out that Africa generates only 5 percent and utilizes 4 percent of the global plastic supply, yet the rise in single-use plastic has led to the continent becoming the second most polluted region worldwide.
Testing the lesser mealworm's capability to consume polystyrene, one of the primary microplastics accumulating rapidly in terrestrial and aquatic environments, was a focus of the research.
Abdou Tenkouano, director-general of ICIPE, remarked that the findings contribute to a growing array of innovations aimed at promoting a circular economy. "We can exploit this knowledge to solve the plastic waste pollution while also harnessing the benefits of mealworms, which are part of the population of highly nutritious edible insects," Tenkouano stated.
He added that the study expands understanding of bioremediation, which involves using microbes to restore contaminated ecosystems, soil, and groundwater.
Evalyne Ndotono, a co-researcher, indicated that further studies are ongoing to better understand how mealworms consume polystyrene and whether they derive any nutritional benefits from it. She highlighted that polystyrene waste primarily arises from the commercial use of Styrofoam, which is commonly found in food storage containers, packaging materials, disposable plates and cups, and insulation for construction.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
Researchers at ICIPE discovered that the larvae of a darkling beetle species, known scientifically as Alphitobius, are capable of consuming plastics, which significantly contribute to global pollution.
Fathiya Khamis, a senior scientist at ICIPE and the lead researcher of the study, noted that the team identified a consortium of beneficial bacteria in the mealworm's gut that assists in digesting plastic.
"Although often mistaken for ordinary worms, mealworms are the larvae of the darkling beetles. Worldwide, yellow mealworms, the larvae of a darkling beetle species called Tenebrio molitor, have been used to biodegrade plastic," Khamis stated in a release from Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.
Khamis emphasized that this marks the first instance of documenting the ability of the African native smaller mealworms to break down plastics.
She pointed out that Africa generates only 5 percent and utilizes 4 percent of the global plastic supply, yet the rise in single-use plastic has led to the continent becoming the second most polluted region worldwide.
Testing the lesser mealworm's capability to consume polystyrene, one of the primary microplastics accumulating rapidly in terrestrial and aquatic environments, was a focus of the research.
Abdou Tenkouano, director-general of ICIPE, remarked that the findings contribute to a growing array of innovations aimed at promoting a circular economy. "We can exploit this knowledge to solve the plastic waste pollution while also harnessing the benefits of mealworms, which are part of the population of highly nutritious edible insects," Tenkouano stated.
He added that the study expands understanding of bioremediation, which involves using microbes to restore contaminated ecosystems, soil, and groundwater.
Evalyne Ndotono, a co-researcher, indicated that further studies are ongoing to better understand how mealworms consume polystyrene and whether they derive any nutritional benefits from it. She highlighted that polystyrene waste primarily arises from the commercial use of Styrofoam, which is commonly found in food storage containers, packaging materials, disposable plates and cups, and insulation for construction.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this report for TROIB News
