Scientists have discovered a game-changing ally in the battle against plastic pollution: the mealworm larvae found in Kenya. The Kenyan lesser mealworm, which is the larva of a beetle called the Alphitobius darkling beetle, thrives in warm places like poultry houses. These insects are found all over the world, but this particular type seems to have a special ability it can eat polystyrene.
Polystyrene is the plastic found in things like food containers, packaging for electronics, and industrial products. It’s tough to break down, and the usual recycling methods—like heating or using chemicals are not only expensive but can also cause further pollution. Scientists are now turning to insects like the Kenyan lesser mealworm, which offers a more eco-friendly solution to managing plastic waste.
To better understand how these mealworms can help, scientists at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology conducted a month-long experiment. They fed the mealworms three different diets: polystyrene alone, bran (a nutrient-rich food) alone, and a mix of both. The mealworms that ate the mixed diet were better at breaking down the polystyrene and lived longer than those that only ate plastic. This shows that a balanced diet helps these insects break down plastic more effectively.
Further research revealed that the bacteria in the mealworms’ stomachs play a big role in this process. Bacteria like Kluyvera, Lactococcus, and Klebsiella produce enzymes that can break down synthetic materials, providing a natural way to tackle plastic waste. Africa, in particular, faces major challenges with plastic pollution due to high imports of plastic products and low rates of recycling. By studying these “plastic-eating” insects, scientists hope to create new tools that can help manage plastic waste more efficiently. Instead of releasing large numbers of these insects into landfills, the bacteria and enzymes they produce can be used in factories and dump sites to break down plastic waste on a large scale.
The researchers plan to isolate the specific bacteria strains and enzymes responsible for breaking down plastic. They will explore whether these enzymes can be produced in large quantities for recycling. Additionally, the scientists aim to test the mealworms’ ability to break down other types of plastics. But to make these solutions work, they’ll need to find ways to keep the insects healthy.
Mealworms, particularly the larvae of the Tenebrio molitor beetle, have gained attention for their various uses across different industries. These little insects are packed with protein, making them a great source of animal feed, especially for livestock, poultry, and pets, and even fish and shrimp in aquaculture.
Mealworms can also help turn organic waste, like food scraps and agricultural by-products, into useful biomass, which reduces landfill waste while providing sustainable protein for animal feed. They’re being looked at for their potential in creating biodegradable packaging and natural fertilisers, thanks to the nutrient-rich droppings (called frass) they produce. Additionally, the oil from these larvae can be used to create biodiesel, offering an eco-friendly alternative energy source. Overall, mealworms are showing great promise in creating more sustainable manufacturing processes and could play a major role in the future of green production.
By studying these natural “plastic-eaters,” scientists hope to develop a more sustainable and efficient way to address the growing plastic waste problem in Africa and around the world.
