Environ Sci Technol October 2015 PMID 26390034

Biodegradation and Mineralization of Polystyrene by Plastic-Eating Mealworms: Part 1. Chemical and Physical Characterization and Isotopic Tests.

Yu Yang, Jun Yang, Wei-Min Wu, Jiao Zhao, Yiling Song, Longcheng Gao, Ruifu Yang, Lei Jiang

Mentions

93
Peak: 4 in Oct 2021
across 6 sources since Feb 2019

Extended reach

2,885,571
potential audience

Total likes

38,114

Video views

2,851,673

Mentions per month

Feb 2019 – Feb 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

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.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the significance of mealworms digesting polystyrene, showing general support for the findings.

InterestHigh interest

Posts reveal high curiosity and enthusiasm about the environmental implications and mechanisms involved.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference related research, mention microbiome mechanisms, and discuss applications, indicating active engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

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.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
juni θ∆
@JUNIUS_64 · X

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

May 20, 2023 · 11 likes · 7,647 followers View post →
Phil Booth
@EinsteinsAttic · X

A year later, in 2015, Jun Yang and colleagues including Wei-Min Wu, an environmental engineer at @Stanford, published two papers

Sep 11, 2022 · 7 likes · 3,475 followers View post →
babi 白游萤 | DESIRE4
@thetieflingdm · X

@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.

Jul 25, 2020 · 6 likes · 2,385 followers View post →
yangjeacheon
@yangjeacheon · X

과학 기술에 더 투자하고 정책을 제대로 집행해야하는 이유 https://t.co/xgk5HXH5Dj

Oct 29, 2021 · 5 likes · 6,202 followers View post →
光英科学研究所 (和光、発酵、健康)
@koeiscience · X

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

Jul 7, 2021 · 5 likes · 516 followers View post →
Xochi/Dominique Guillet
@Xochipelli1953 · X

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!

Feb 16, 2025 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 2,218 followers View post →

All mentions

DN1965
@Durandn57260174 · X

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…

Feb 17, 2025 · 2 shares · 82 followers View post →
Xochi/Dominique Guillet
@Xochipelli1953 · X

@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!

Feb 16, 2025 · 2,218 followers View post →
Benali
@Benali89790792 · X

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…

Feb 16, 2025 · 2 shares · 1,061 followers View post →
Xochi/Dominique Guillet
@Xochipelli1953 · X

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!

Feb 16, 2025 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 2,218 followers View post →
籠入猫
@trashcantiglets · X

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?

Mar 15, 2024 · 6 shares · 501 followers View post →
juni θ∆
@JUNIUS_64 · X

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

May 20, 2023 · 11 likes · 7,647 followers View post →
Phil Booth
@EinsteinsAttic · X

A year later, in 2015, Jun Yang and colleagues including Wei-Min Wu, an environmental engineer at @Stanford, published two papers

Sep 11, 2022 · 7 likes · 3,475 followers View post →
Kevin Solomon (drksolomon.bsky.social)
@drksolomon · X

@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

Jun 14, 2022 · 2 likes · 1,982 followers View post →
Tiriondil
@Tiriondil · X

@realsci_DE @nutzlose_info https://t.co/aAvBOyJRrS

Apr 6, 2022 · 320 followers View post →
Tiriondil
@Tiriondil · X

@realsci_DE Ich möchte noch zu den bisherigen Antworten Mehlwürmer hinzufügen, die lassen sich auch mit Styropor füttern. https://t.co/aAvBOyJRrS

Apr 6, 2022 · 320 followers View post →
성윤 Stella Agnes, Bok
@GO2C · X

환경 마케팅에 속는 사람들에게 전하는 진실 "백날 아껴도 해결되지 않습니다." https://t.co/DT0vEqk9aj via @YouTube

Jan 16, 2022 · 21 followers View post →
yangjeacheon
@yangjeacheon · X

과학 기술에 더 투자하고 정책을 제대로 집행해야하는 이유 https://t.co/xgk5HXH5Dj

Oct 29, 2021 · 5 likes · 6,202 followers View post →
return P
@return_p_ · X

환경 마케팅에 속는 사람들에게 전하는 진실 "백날 아껴도 해결되지 않습니다." https://t.co/VJAPsnPgJY 출처 @YouTube

Oct 19, 2021 · 1 like · 678 followers View post →
Ssopi - ٩( ‘ω’ )و
@Ssopi_Red · X

지구 온난화의 허구성과 경제. 1. https://t.co/7wKKSYaadi 2. https://t.co/5APEN82NMx 3. https://t.co/gQOL5DoxjS 4. https://t.co/8mqE7wQVWo

Oct 18, 2021 · 1,214 followers View post →
光英科学研究所 (和光、発酵、健康)
@koeiscience · X

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

Jul 7, 2021 · 5 likes · 516 followers View post →
babi 白游萤 | DESIRE4
@thetieflingdm · X

@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.

Jul 25, 2020 · 6 likes · 2,385 followers View post →
Cychem
@Cychem · X

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

Oct 5, 2019 · 45 followers View post →
paqtasit
@paqtasit · X

RT @Child_Of_Lions: @Barryabfreedom @Corbynsmama @GeraldJacklin @canadian000 @GerryxSimons @nostradamous195 @kate_canadian @nemo_gratis @Sh…

Feb 18, 2019 · 1 share · 2,061 followers View post →
Carol B.
@Child_Of_Lions · X

@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

Feb 17, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 925 followers View post →