PJB-2025-105
ASSESSMENT OF POLYSTYRENE BIODEGRADATION CAPABILITY AND MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF TENEBRIO MOLITOR’S GUT MICROBIOTA
noor-ul-Saba
Abstract
The prevalent use of polystyrene (PS) has led to significant environmental pollution due to its resistance to degradation. This challenge has driven efforts to identify innovative and effective methods for PS degradation. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of certain insect species, particularly Tenebrio molitor larvae, as agents for plastic biodegradation. This study investigates the ability of T. molitor larvae to degrade PS and examines the role of their gut microbiota in this process. Three hundred T. molitor larvae were divided into three groups and fed different diets: potato, turnip, and PS foam. The experiment was conducted over two months under controlled conditions of 25–27°C and 60–70% humidity. The degradation of PS was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed substantial PS degradation, with a weight loss of 2.36 g (20.6% of the initial weight) and visible surface alterations in the plastic. SEM analysis revealed cracks and fragmentation in the PS polymer chain, indicating physical degradation. FTIR spectroscopy detected changes in the molecular structure, including the breakdown of chemical bonds and the formation of new functional groups. Peaks at 678.45–678.34 cm⁻¹, 1045.34–1045.56 cm⁻¹, and 3100.32–3100.44 cm⁻¹ corresponded to alkane, mono-substituted, and alkene groups, respectively, further confirming the degradation process. Gut microbiota isolated from the larvae were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which revealed Escherichia coli and Shigella dysenteriae as the dominant bacterial communities involved in PS degradation, with relative abundances of 97.09% and 97.02%, respectively. Biochemical characterization confirmed the production of enzymes by these isolates that facilitated the breakdown of the PS polymer chain. This study highlights the potential of Tenebrio molitor larvae as a promising biological solution for managing plastic waste and emphasizes the significant role of their gut microbiota in the biodegradation process.
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