Kenyan Lesser Mealworm Larvae Show Promise in Plastic Degradation, Offering New Hope for Pollution Control
In an innovative approach to tackling plastic pollution, a team of scientists from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology has discovered that Kenyan lesser mealworm larvae can consume polystyrene a common yet hard-to-recycle plastic. This is the first time an insect species native to Africa has been found to break down polystyrene, adding it to a small but promising group of plastic-degrading insects.
How Do They Do It?
Polystyrene, often known as Styrofoam, is widely used in packaging and is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its durable nature. While traditional recycling methods are costly and polluting, the Kenyan lesser mealworm has a unique ability to chew through polystyrene with the help of gut bacteria that aid in breaking down the plastic. These larv...
