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Jiang J, Xu H, Cao X, Liang Y, Mo A, Cao X, Liu Y, Benbow ME, Criddle CS, Wu WM, He D. Soil-dwelling grub larvae of Protaetia brevitarsis biodegrade polystyrene: Responses of gut microbiome and host metabolism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173399. [PMID: 38781836 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to terrestrial ecosystems, yet the potential for soil fauna to contribute to plastic biodegradation remains largely unexplored. In this study, we reveal that soil-dwelling grubs, Protaetia brevitarsis larvae, can effectively biodegrade polystyrene (PS) plastics. Over a period of 4 weeks, these grubs achieved a remarkable 61.5 % reduction in PS foam mass. This biodegradation was confirmed by the depolymerization of ingested PS, formation of oxidative functional groups, noticeable chemical modifications, and an increase of δ13C of residual PS in frass. Additionally, antibiotic treatment to suppress gut microbes led to variations in the biodegradation process. PS ingestion induced a significant shift in the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of degradation-related bacteria such as Promicromonosporaceae, Bacillaceae, and Paenibacillaceae. Furthermore, the digestion of plastic triggered extensive metabolomic reprogramming of grubs' intestines, enhancing redox capabilities and facilitating PS biodegradation. These results indicate that responsive adaptation of both the gut microbiome and the host's intestinal metabolism contributes to PS degradation. Collectively, these findings demonstrate P. brevitarsis larvae's capability to alleviate soil plastic pollution, and highlight the potential of researching soil fauna further for sustainable plastic waste management solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Jiang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Haowen Xu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 999077, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaomu Cao
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yuqing Liang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Aoyun Mo
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xuelong Cao
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yan Liu
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mark Eric Benbow
- Department of Entomology and Department of Osteopathic Medical Specialties, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Craig S Criddle
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA.
| | - Defu He
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
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Shashoua Y, Peydaei A, Mortensen MN, Kanstrup AB, Gregory DJ. Physio-chemical degradation of single-use plastics in natural weather and marine environments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124414. [PMID: 38908677 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has reached concerning levels globally, with single-use plastic products (SUPs) comprising at least 50% of plastic waste. This study investigates the physical and chemical degradation of frequently used SUPs, including petroleum-based and bio-based plastics, in natural Northern European coastal weather and marine environments over a three-year period from 2019 to 2022. Addressing a critical knowledge gap, this research was based on a hypothesis that real-world ageing studies on SUPs would produce more accurate time- and process-lines for their transformation from macro-to microplastics than are available today based on the modeling studies more frequently used. The study employs optical examination, mechanical testing, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine and relate physical and chemical changes with time. The results indicate that SUPs undergo significantly faster degradation in natural weather than predicted to date. Photooxidation emerges as the primary degradation pathway for all SUPs, emphasizing the role of light in plastic breakdown. Importantly, physical degradation to microplastics in natural environments is not always associated with significant chemical changes such as breaking chemical bonds. Black SUPs exhibit greater resistance to visible light and ultraviolet radiation than equivalent white and transparent examples. In marine environments, SUPs degrade measurably slower than in air, their degradation slowing with increasing distance from the water surface. Our findings indicate the urgent need for strategies that mitigate the impacts of photo-oxidation of SUPs. Such strategies may include a focus on the removal of post-use SUPs from pavements, roads, beaches, and water surfaces where photo-oxidation is faster than underwater and underground. Preferential use of black SUPs over white or transparent should also be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Shashoua
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, IC Modewegsvej-Brede, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
| | - Asal Peydaei
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, IC Modewegsvej-Brede, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark.
| | - Martin N Mortensen
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, IC Modewegsvej-Brede, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
| | - Anders B Kanstrup
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, IC Modewegsvej-Brede, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
| | - David J Gregory
- Environmental Archaeology and Materials Science, National Museum of Denmark, IC Modewegsvej-Brede, Kongens Lyngby, 2800, Denmark
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He L, Yang SS, Ding J, Chen CX, Yang F, He ZL, Pang JW, Peng BY, Zhang Y, Xing DF, Ren NQ, Wu WM. Biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate by Tenebrio molitor: Insights for polymer chain size, gut metabolome and host genes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133446. [PMID: 38219578 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or polyester) is a commonly used plastic and also contributes to the majority of plastic wastes. Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae) are capable of biodegrading major plastic polymers but their degrading ability for PET has not been characterized based on polymer chain size molecular size, gut microbiome, metabolome and transcriptome. We verified biodegradation of commercial PET by T. molitor larvae in a previous report. Here, we reported that biodegradation of commercial PET (Mw 29.43 kDa) was further confirmed by using the δ13C signature as an indication of bioreaction, which was increased from - 27.50‰ to - 26.05‰. Under antibiotic suppression of gut microbes, the PET was still depolymerized, indicating that the host digestive enzymes could degrade PET independently. Biodegradation of high purity PET with low, medium, and high molecular weights (MW), i.e., Mw values of 1.10, 27.10, and 63.50 kDa with crystallinity 53.66%, 33.43%, and 4.25%, respectively, showed a mass reduction of > 95%, 86%, and 74% via broad depolymerization. Microbiome analyses indicated that PET diets shifted gut microbiota to three distinct structures, depending on the low, medium, and high MW. Metagenome sequencing, transcriptomic, and metabolic analyses indicated symbiotic biodegradation of PET by the host and gut microbiota. After PET was fed, the host's genes encoding degradation enzymes were upregulated, including genes encoding oxidizing, hydrolyzing, and non-specific CYP450 enzymes. Gut bacterial genes for biodegrading intermediates and nitrogen fixation also upregulated. The multiple-functional metabolic pathways for PET biodegradation ensured rapid biodegradation resulting in a half-life of PET less than 4 h with less negative impact by PET MW and crystallinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Jie Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Cheng-Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Zhi-Li He
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
| | - Ji-Wei Pang
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Bo-Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yalei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - De-Feng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Muhammad A, Zhang N, He J, Shen X, Zhu X, Xiao J, Qian Z, Sun C, Shao Y. Multiomics analysis reveals the molecular basis for increased body weight in silkworms (Bombyx mori) exposed to environmental concentrations of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics. J Adv Res 2024; 57:43-57. [PMID: 37741508 PMCID: PMC10918344 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are emerging environmental pollutants that have raised serious concerns about their potential impact on ecosystem and organism health. Despite increasing efforts to investigate the impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on biota little is known about their potential impacts on terrestrial organisms, especially insects, at environmental concentrations. OBJECTIVES To address this gap, we used an insect model, silkworm Bombyx mori to examine the potential long-term impacts of different sizes of polystyrene (PS) MNPs at environmentally realistic concentrations (0.25 to 1.0 μg/mL). METHODS After exposure to PS-MNPs over most of the larval lifetime (from second to last instar), the endpoints were examined by an integrated physiological (growth and survival) and multiomics approach (metabolomics, 16S rRNA, and transcriptomics). RESULTS Our results indicated that dietary exposures to PS-MNPs had no lethal effect on survivorship, but interestingly, increased host body weight. Multiomics analysis revealed that PS-MNPs exposure significantly altered multiple pathways, particularly lipid metabolism, leading to enriched energy reserves. Furthermore, the exposure changed the structure and composition of the gut microbiome and increased the abundance of gut bacteria Acinetobacter and Enterococcus. Notably, the predicted functional profiles and metabolite expressions were significantly correlated with bacterial abundance. Importantly, these observed effects were particle size-dependent and were ranked as PS-S (91.92 nm) > PS-M (5.69 µm) > PS-L (9.7 µm). CONCLUSION Overall, PS-MNPs at environmentally realistic concentrations exerted stimulatory effects on energy metabolism that subsequently enhanced body weight in silkworms, suggesting that chronic PS-MNPs exposure might trigger weight gain in animals and humans by influencing host energy and microbiota homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abrar Muhammad
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jintao He
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Shen
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinyue Zhu
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xiao
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoyi Qian
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Sun
- Analysis Center of Agrobiology and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Shao
- Max Planck Partner Group, Institute of Sericulture and Apiculture, Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Silkworm and Bee Resource Utilization and Innovation of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory for Molecular Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, China.
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Pignataro E, Pini F, Barbanente A, Arnesano F, Palazzo A, Marsano RM. Flying toward a plastic-free world: Can Drosophila serve as a model organism to develop new strategies of plastic waste management? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:169942. [PMID: 38199375 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.169942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The last century was dominated by the widespread use of plastics, both in terms of invention and increased usage. The environmental challenge we currently face is not just about reducing plastic usage but finding new ways to manage plastic waste. Recycling is growing but remains a small part of the solution. There is increasing focus on studying organisms and processes that can break down plastics, offering a modern approach to addressing the environmental crisis. Here, we provide an overview of the organisms associated with plastics biodegradation, and we explore the potential of harnessing and integrating their genetic and biochemical features into a single organism, such as Drosophila melanogaster. The remarkable genetic engineering and microbiota manipulation tools available for this organism suggest that multiple features could be amalgamated and modeled in the fruit fly. We outline feasible genetic engineering and gut microbiome engraftment strategies to develop a new class of plastic-degrading organisms and discuss of both the potential benefits and the limitations of developing such engineered Drosophila melanogaster strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Pignataro
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Pini
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Barbanente
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Fabio Arnesano
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - Antonio Palazzo
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - René Massimiliano Marsano
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro" via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
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He L, Yang SS, Ding J, He ZL, Pang JW, Xing DF, Zhao L, Zheng HS, Ren NQ, Wu WM. Responses of gut microbiomes to commercial polyester polymer biodegradation in Tenebrio molitor Larvae. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131759. [PMID: 37276692 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a mass-produced fossil-based plastic polymer that contributes to catastrophic levels of plastic pollution. Here we demonstrated that Tenebrio molitor (mealworms) was capable of rapidly biodegrading two commercial PET resins (microplastics) with respective weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 39.33 and 29.43 kDa and crystallinity of 22.8 ± 3.06% and 18 ± 2.25%, resulting in an average mass reduction of 71.03% and 73.28% after passage of their digestive tract, and respective decrease by 9.22% and 11.36% in Mw of residual PET polymer in egested frass. Sequencing of 16 S rRNA gene amplicons of gut microbial communities showed that dominant bacterial genera were enriched and associated with PET degradation. Also, PICRUSt prediction exhibited that oxidases (monooxygenases and dioxygenases), hydrolases (cutinase, carboxylesterase and chitinase), and PET metabolic enzymes, and chemotaxis related functions were up-regulated in the PET-fed larvae. Additionally, metabolite analyses revealed that PET uptake caused alterations of stress response and plastic degradation related pathways, and lipid metabolism pathways in the T. molitor larvae could be reprogrammed when the larvae fed on PET. This study provides new insights into gut microbial community adaptation to PET diet under nutritional stress (especially nitrogen deficiency) and its contribution to PET degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Jie Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Zhi-Li He
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
| | - Ji-Wei Pang
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, CECEP Talroad Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing 100096, China
| | - De-Feng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - He-Shan Zheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qiqihar University, Qiqihar 161006, China
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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Co-diet supplementation of low density polyethylene and honeybee wax did not influence the core gut bacteria and associated enzymes of Galleria mellonella larvae (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Int Microbiol 2022; 26:397-409. [PMID: 36484909 DOI: 10.1007/s10123-022-00303-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The current plastic pollution throughout the world is a rising concern that demands the optimization of biodegradation processes. One avenue for this is to identify plastic-degrading bacteria and associated enzymes from the gut bacteria of insect models such as Tenebrio molitor, Plodia interpunctella or Galleria mellonella that have the ability to ingest and rapidly degrade polyethylene. Therefore, this study takes part in understanding the role of the gut bacteria by investigating G. mellonella as a biological model feeding with a diet based on honeybee wax mixed or not with low-density polyethylene. Gut microbiome was analyzed by high throughput 16S rRNA sequencing, and Enterococcaceae and Oxalobacteraceae were found to be the major bacterial families. Compared to the control, the supplementation of low-density polyethylene did not cause significant modification of the bacterial microbiota at community and taxa levels, suggesting bacterial microbiome resilience. The bacterial proteome analysis of gut contents was encouraging for the identification of plastic degrading enzymes such as the phenylacetaldehyde dehydrogenase which participate in styrene degradation. This study allowed a better characterization of the gut bacteria of G. mellonella and provided a basis for the further study of biodegradation of polyethylene based on the bacterial microbiota from insect guts.
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Wang J, Wang Y, Li X, Weng Y, Dong X, Zhao X. Comparison on the effectiveness of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FT-IR) in characterizing plastics biodegradation by insect larvae. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156289. [PMID: 35644389 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The discovery that insect larvae can feed on foam plastics provided new exploration ideas and potential for plastic wastes biodegradation. In previous studies, both attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FT-IR) and conventional FT-IR have been used but no comparison has been done to evaluate the difference of effectiveness for the characterization of oxidization and biodegradation of plastics by insect larvae. To address this, foam plastics of polystyrene, polyurethane and polyethylene, as well as the frass of plastics-fed superworms Zophobas atratus were characterized using both FT-IR and ATR-FT-IR, and the differences were compared. For FT-IR, spectra were found to vary due to the difference in shape and thickness of the samples, as well as the moisture absorption of KBr. For ATR-FT-IR, although tests could be performed directly without pretreatment, the reflection with short wavelength could not deeply penetrate into the frass samples. Since the composition of plastics-fed larval frass is more complex than the original plastics, the spectra of FT-IR and ATR-FT-IR were observed significantly different. Therefore, the ATR-FT-IR was more effective in monitoring functional groups of original plastics, and be recommended to employ in combination with FT-IR for a more comprehensive characterization of plastics-fed larval frass in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Yumeng Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Yue Weng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Xiaoying Dong
- Panjin Institute of Industrial Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.
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Gohl P, LeMoine C, Cassone B. Diet and ontogeny drastically alter the larval microbiome of the invertebrate model Galleria mellonella. Can J Microbiol 2022; 68:594-604. [PMID: 35863073 DOI: 10.1139/cjm-2022-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) are an emerging animal model to study the innate immune response and biodegradation of plastic polymers. Both of these complex biological processes are likely impacted by the plasticity of host-microbe interactions, which remains understudied in lepidopterans. Consequently we carried out 16S rRNA sequencing to explore the effect diet (natural, artificial) has on the bacterial assemblages of G. mellonella in different tissues (gut, fat bodies, silk glands) throughout development (eggs, six instar stages, adults). The microbiome was rich in diversity, with Proteobacteria and Firmicutes being the most represented phyla. Contrary to other lepidopterans, G. mellonella appears to possess a resident microbiome dominated by Ralstonia. As larvae progress through development, the bacterial assemblages become increasingly shaped by the caterpillar's diet. In particular, a number of bacteria genera widely associated with the G. mellonella microbiome (e.g., Enterococcus and Enterbacter) were significantly enriched on an artificial diet. Overall these results indicate that the G. mellonella microbiome is not as simplistic and homogenous as previously described. Rather, its bacterial communities are drastically affected by both diet and ontogeny, which should be taken into consideration in future studies planning to use G. mellonella as model species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Gohl
- Brandon University Faculty of Science, 414985, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada;
| | - Christophe LeMoine
- Brandon University Faculty of Science, 414985, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada;
| | - Bryan Cassone
- Brandon University, 1916, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada;
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Ruiz Barrionuevo JM, Vilanova-Cuevas B, Alvarez A, Martín E, Malizia A, Galindo-Cardona A, de Cristóbal RE, Occhionero MA, Chalup A, Monmany-Garzia AC, Godoy-Vitorino F. The Bacterial and Fungal Gut Microbiota of the Greater Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella L. Consuming Polyethylene and Polystyrene. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:918861. [PMID: 35865934 PMCID: PMC9294514 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.918861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic production has been increasing exponentially in the last 60 years, but plastic disposal is out of control, resulting in the pollution of all ecosystems on Earth. Finding alternative environmentally sustainable choices, such as biodegradation by insects and their associated gut microbiota, is crucial, however we have only begun to characterize these ecosystems. Some bacteria and one fungus have been previously identified in the gut of Greater Wax Moth larvae (Galleria mellonella L., Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) located mainly in the Northern hemisphere. The aim of this study was to describe changes in the gut microbiota associated with the consumption of polyethylene and polystyrene by the Greater Wax Moth in Argentina, considering both bacteria and fungi. Larvae were fed polyethylene, polystyrene and beeswax as control for 7 days. Next generation sequencing revealed changes in the bacterial gut microbiome of the wax moth larvae at the phyla and genus levels, with an increase in two Pseudomonas strains. The fungal communities showed no differences in composition between diets, only changing in relative abundance. This is the first report of both bacterial and fungal communities associated with a plastivore insect. The results are promising and call for more studies concerning a potential multi-kingdom synergy in the plastic biodegradation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M. Ruiz Barrionuevo
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (IER), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Brayan Vilanova-Cuevas
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
| | - Analía Alvarez
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
- Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiológicos (PROIMI-CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Martín
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
- Fundación Miguel Lillo (FML), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Agustina Malizia
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (IER), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Alberto Galindo-Cardona
- Fundación Miguel Lillo (FML), Tucumán, Argentina
- Centro Científico Tecnológico (CCT-NOA SUR), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Ricardo E. de Cristóbal
- INSIBIO (CONICET - UNT), Instituto de Química Biológica “Dr. Bernabé Bloj”, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - M. Angelica Occhionero
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Adriana Chalup
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT), Tucumán, Argentina
- Fundación Miguel Lillo (FML), Tucumán, Argentina
| | - A. Carolina Monmany-Garzia
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (IER), Universidad Nacional de Tucumán (UNT)–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Tucumán, Argentina
- *Correspondence: A. Carolina Monmany-Garzia,
| | - Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
- Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Filipa Godoy-Vitorino,
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Pivato AF, Miranda GM, Prichula J, Lima JEA, Ligabue RA, Seixas A, Trentin DS. Hydrocarbon-based plastics: Progress and perspectives on consumption and biodegradation by insect larvae. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133600. [PMID: 35031254 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The obvious contrast between the remarkable durability and the high consumption of plastic products leads to the deposition of at least 100 million tons of plastics per year in nature. Since 2010, several studies have shown the potential of insect larvae to biodegrade different types of plastics, at higher rates than those reported for microorganisms. This review discusses a compilation of studies about the consumption and biodegradation of hydrocarbon-based plastics, particularly PE, PS, PP and PVC, by lepidopteran and coleopteran larvae. Insects of the Coleoptera order seem to have a better adaptation for PS biodegradation, while those of the Lepidoptera order can better biodegrade PE. Tenebrio molitor biomineralize PE and PS into CO2, and PVC into HCl; while Tenebrio obscurus and Zophobas atratus converts PE and PS into CO2, respectively. Plastic biodegradation by T. molitor has been shown to be dependent on microbiota, exception for PE. Similar PS and PE biodegradation profile has been shown for T. obscurus. PS, PP and PE biodegradation by Z. atratus is also reported to be microbial-dependent. For Galleria mellonella, microbial role on PE biodegradation is still controversial, but the PS metabolism was proved to be microbiota-independent. Advances in this field has stimulated new studies with other insect species, which need to be better explored. Uncovering and understanding the chemical processes behind the innate plastic biodegradation by insect larvae will open the perspective to new eco-friendly innovative biotechnological solutions for the challenge of plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa F Pivato
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriela M Miranda
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola Politécnica, Laboratório de Organometálicos e Resinas, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Janira Prichula
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jeane E A Lima
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola Politécnica, Laboratório de Organometálicos e Resinas, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rosane A Ligabue
- Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola Politécnica, Laboratório de Organometálicos e Resinas, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Adriana Seixas
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Departamento de Farmacociências, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Danielle S Trentin
- Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
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12
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Wang S, Shi W, Huang Z, Zhou N, Xie Y, Tang Y, Hu F, Liu G, Zheng H. Complete digestion/biodegradation of polystyrene microplastics by greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae: Direct in vivo evidence, gut microbiota independence, and potential metabolic pathways. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 423:127213. [PMID: 34844347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradation of plastic polymers by plastic-eating insects such as the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) might be promising for reducing plastic pollution, but direct in vivo evidence along with the related metabolic pathways and role of gut microbiota require further investigation. In this study, we investigated the in vivo degradation process, underlying potential metabolic pathways, and involvement of the gut microbiota in polystyrene (PS) biodegradation via enforcing injection of G. mellonella larvae (Tianjin, China) with PS microbeads (0.5 mg/larva; Mn: 540 and Mw: 550) and general-purpose PS powders (2.5 mg/larva; Mn: 95,600 and Mw: 217,000). The results indicated that the PS microplastics were depolymerized and completely digested independent of gut microbiota in G. mellonella although the metabolism could be enhanced by gut microbiota. Based on comparative metabolomic and liquid chromatography analyses, we proposed two potential metabolic pathways of PS in the intestine of G. mellonella larvae: the styrene oxide-phenylacetaldehyde and 4-methylphenol-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde-4-hydroxybenzoate pathways. These results suggest that the enzymes of G. mellonella are responsible for the efficient biodegradation of PS. Further study is needed to identify these enzymes and investigate the underlying catalytic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhichu Huang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Nihong Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yanling Xie
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Tang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fuliang Hu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Guangxu Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Huoqing Zheng
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Sanchez-Hernandez JC. A toxicological perspective of plastic biodegradation by insect larvae. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 248:109117. [PMID: 34186180 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Larvae of some insect species (Coleoptera and Lepidoptera) can consume and biodegrade synthetic polymers, including polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene. Multiple chemical (polymer mass loss and shift of the molecular weight, alterations in chemical functionality, formation of biodegraded intermediates, CO2 production), physical (surface hydrophobicity, thermal analysis), and biological approaches (antibiotic treatment, gut dysbiosis, isolation of plastic microbial degraders) have provided evidence for polymer biodegradation in the larva digestive tract. However, the extent and rate of biodegradation largely depend on the physicochemical structure of the polymer as well as the presence of additives. Additionally, toxicology associated with plastic biodegradation has not been investigated. This knowledge gap is critical to understand the gut symbiont-host interaction in the biodegradation process, its viability in the long term, the effects of plastic additives and their metabolites, and the phenotypic traits linked to a plastic-rich diet might be transferred in successive generations. Likewise, plastic-eating larvae represent a unique case study for elucidating the mechanisms of toxic action by micro- and nanoplastics because of the high concentration of plastics these organisms may be intentionally exposed to. This perspective review graphically summarizes the current knowledge on plastic biodegradation by insect larvae and describes the physiological processes (digestive and immune systems) that may be disrupted by micro- and nanoplastics. It also provides an outlook to advance current knowledge on the toxicity assessment of plastic-rich diets and the environmental risks of plastic-containing by-products (e.g., insect manure used as fertilizer).
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C Sanchez-Hernandez
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Environmental Science and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain.
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