there are bacteria that live inside mealworm guts, and can break down polystyrene if the worm eats jt, and they can do it a lot more efficiently in the gut than outside of it in a lab culture setting (probably several reasons there) https://t.co/mfM17wYVE4
Biodegradation and Mineralization of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Mealworms: Part 1. Chemical and Physical Characterization and Isotopic Tests.
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Feb 2019 – Feb 2025Where it's discussed
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What people are saying
Discussions demonstrate strong interest and engagement, with users referencing previous studies, mechanisms involving gut bacteria, and environmental applications, highlighting how the research could influence plastic waste management and inspire further scientific development.
Most discussions acknowledge the significance of mealworms digesting polystyrene, showing general support for the findings.
Posts reveal high curiosity and enthusiasm about the environmental implications and mechanisms involved.
Participants reference related research, mention microbiome mechanisms, and discuss applications, indicating active engagement.
The conversations highlight potential environmental benefits and innovative solutions, suggesting moderate to high impact.
Abstract in brief
- The study demonstrates that mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio molitor) can efficiently biodegrade and mineralize polystyrene (PS), such as Styrofoam, within their gut in less than 24 hours, with no adverse effects on larval survival when fed solely on PS.
- Chemical and physical analyses confirmed that PS molecules are broken down into smaller metabolites inside the larvae, with nearly 48% of ingested Styrofoam carbon being converted into CO2 within 16 days, showing active mineralization.
- Using labeled PS, researchers verified that the carbon from PS is both converted into CO2 and incorporated into the larvae's lipids, indicating that PS not only biodegrades but also contributes to the larvae's biomass, revealing a potential environmental pathway for plastic waste degradation.]
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Most liked on X and BlueskyA year later, in 2015, Jun Yang and colleagues including Wei-Min Wu, an environmental engineer at @Stanford, published two papers
@insetologia2 Saiu um estudo em 2015 com larvas de tenebrio molitor decompondo isopor também. https://t.co/XCq3NwQQOL Eu lembro disso pq eu AMEI. acho que as primeiras pesquisas foram com tenébrio e um lixão de uma cidade do interior de SP comprou larvas pra começar a testar.
과학 기술에 더 투자하고 정책을 제대로 집행해야하는 이유 https://t.co/xgk5HXH5Dj
みなさま おはようございます 世界的に問題となっている 大量のプラスチックゴミ 今、ある種のミミズが発見された 発泡スチロールを噛んで食べる! その小さな体で 持続可能な未来を背負って くれるかも
Le Saviez-vous? Je l'ai déjà signalé! La seule façon connue de biodégrader le polystyrène est dans l'intestin d'un ver de farine. https://t.co/zuYuA5bUnv Bonne chance aux Végans et aux consommateurs d'insectes!
All mentions
Mealworms as Efficient Biodegraders of Polystyrene Plastic
Mealworms can efficiently biodegrade and mineralize polystyrene within their gut in less than 24 hours, converting nearly 48% of ingested Styrofoam into CO2 in 16 days, presenting a promising biological solution for…
한국 아줌마의 위엄... 답은 우리 주위에 있다! 100년 만에 대학생이 풀어낸 물리학계의 난제!
Biodegradation of Plastic by Mealworms and Caterpillars
This study demonstrates that mealworms can efficiently biodegrade and mineralize polystyrene within 24 hours, with nearly 48% of the ingested plastic carbon converted into CO2 over 16 days, showing active degradation…
학계의 예상을 뛰어넘은 4천년 전 고대인들의 수학 실력
Advancements in Polyethylene Degradation and Microbial Bioremediation
This video discusses recent developments in polyethylene degradation, focusing on microbial biodegradation using mealworms and bacteria. It highlights how mealworms efficiently mineralize polystyrene within their gut…
RT @Xochipelli1953: Le Saviez-vous? Je l'ai déjà signalé! La seule façon connue de biodégrader le polystyrène est dans l'intestin d'un ve…
@emma_ducros Le Saviez-vous? Je l'ai déjà signalé! La seule façon connue de biodégrader le polystyrène est dans l'intestin d'un ver de farine. https://t.co/zuYuA5bUnv Bonne chance aux Végans et aux consommateurs d'insectes!
RT @Xochipelli1953: Le Saviez-vous? Je l'ai déjà signalé! La seule façon connue de biodégrader le polystyrène est dans l'intestin d'un ve…
Le Saviez-vous? Je l'ai déjà signalé! La seule façon connue de biodégrader le polystyrène est dans l'intestin d'un ver de farine. https://t.co/zuYuA5bUnv Bonne chance aux Végans et aux consommateurs d'insectes!
RT @Mushi_Kurotowa: @fluor_doublet @afpbbcom 2015年に出たスタイロフォームの解重合をミールワームがやっている、という論文です。https://t.co/ZmR6NINCW5 解重合できるのはすごいことなんですか?
there are bacteria that live inside mealworm guts, and can break down polystyrene if the worm eats jt, and they can do it a lot more efficiently in the gut than outside of it in a lab culture setting (probably several reasons there) https://t.co/mfM17wYVE4
A year later, in 2015, Jun Yang and colleagues including Wei-Min Wu, an environmental engineer at @Stanford, published two papers
@sennoma @Chemjobber This paper is not doing itself favors with the speculative mechanism but there is solid evidence for the chemical modification of these materials by the microbiome of larvae. (E.g. https://t.co/xkgA3eLrqn) The mechanisms do remain to be elucidated. @MarkBlenner @laure_kayser https://t.co/8uTfoczq8c
@realsci_DE @nutzlose_info https://t.co/aAvBOyJRrS
@realsci_DE Ich möchte noch zu den bisherigen Antworten Mehlwürmer hinzufügen, die lassen sich auch mit Styropor füttern. https://t.co/aAvBOyJRrS
환경 마케팅에 속는 사람들에게 전하는 진실 "백날 아껴도 해결되지 않습니다." https://t.co/DT0vEqk9aj via @YouTube
과학 기술에 더 투자하고 정책을 제대로 집행해야하는 이유 https://t.co/xgk5HXH5Dj
환경 마케팅에 속는 사람들에게 전하는 진실 "백날 아껴도 해결되지 않습니다." https://t.co/VJAPsnPgJY 출처 @YouTube
지구 온난화의 허구성과 경제. 1. https://t.co/7wKKSYaadi 2. https://t.co/5APEN82NMx 3. https://t.co/gQOL5DoxjS 4. https://t.co/8mqE7wQVWo
みなさま おはようございます 世界的に問題となっている 大量のプラスチックゴミ 今、ある種のミミズが発見された 発泡スチロールを噛んで食べる! その小さな体で 持続可能な未来を背負って くれるかも
@insetologia2 Saiu um estudo em 2015 com larvas de tenebrio molitor decompondo isopor também. https://t.co/XCq3NwQQOL Eu lembro disso pq eu AMEI. acho que as primeiras pesquisas foram com tenébrio e um lixão de uma cidade do interior de SP comprou larvas pra começar a testar.
The following article describes a Stanford experiment where they analyzed whether mealworms would eat styrofoam if it was their only option, and this has tremendous environmental applications when it comes to polystyrene degradation. https://t.co/rHhRurpgSI
RT @Child_Of_Lions: @Barryabfreedom @Corbynsmama @GeraldJacklin @canadian000 @GerryxSimons @nostradamous195 @kate_canadian @nemo_gratis @Sh…
@Barryabfreedom @Corbynsmama @GeraldJacklin @canadian000 @GerryxSimons @nostradamous195 @kate_canadian @nemo_gratis @SherriMcLynn @JohnAll63815927 @Katalytical87 @DanMCalgary @Qualifyfor @medwoman1 @deCaptRon @safety_canada7 @muchmore2cents @unEZ_p3ac3 @FelixAnchor__ @staines_andyjoy @RickRMehta @DavidMilley @GregJen56304807 @IiJudge @catchercharlie @vesnalaurie8 @VermeirenRob @mehtamutebutton @CalloutCanada @famousgaurav @PAngebrandt @Canadian_Chris_ @SledzKevin @MicheleSobering @CaptainDick12 @SageThinker99 @gorvin1971 @Hope2Casagem @lindco22 @MapleLeafForevr @esteetabernac @SharpishMitch @Perkel @jay_slatter @nwriverrock @barbara_starr62 @robyn_call @CATGovernment Oh and quick search on google scholar reveals science is also developing meal worms who can digest plastic (the enzyme is too new to be described in a paper). https://t.co/PJqXqkhGcz
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