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Ding MQ, Ding J, Yang SS, Ren XR, Shi SN, Zhang LY, Xing DF, Ren NQ, Wu WM. Effects of plastic aging on biodegradation of polystyrene by Tenebrio molitor larvae: Insights into gut microbiome and bacterial metabolism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176130. [PMID: 39260508 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176130] [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: 06/15/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
Plastics aging reduces resistance to microbial degradation. Plastivore Tenebrio molitor rapidly biodegrades polystyrene (PS, size: < 80 μm), but the effects of aging on PS biodegradation by T. molitor remain uncharacterized. This study examined PS biodegradation over 24 days following three pre-treatments: freezing with UV exposure (PS1), UV exposure (PS2), and freezing (PS3), compared to pristine PS (PSv) microplastic. The pretreatments deteriorated PS polymers, resulting in slightly higher specific PS consumption (602.8, 586.1, 566.7, and 563.9 mg PS·100 larvae-1·d-1, respectively) and mass reduction rates (49.6 %, 49.5 %, 49.2 %, and 48.7 %, respectively) in PS1, PS2, and PS3 compared to PSv. Improved biodegradation correlated with reduced molecular weights and the formation of oxidized functional groups. Larvae fed more aged PS exhibited greater gut microbial diversity, with microbial community and metabolic pathways shaped by PS aging, as supported by co-occurrence network analysis. These findings indicated that the aging treatments enhanced PS biodegradation by only limited extent but impacted greater on gut microbiome and bacterial metabolic genes, indicating that the T. molitor host have highly predominant capability to digest PS plastics and alters gut microbiome to adapt the PS polymers fed to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Qi Ding
- 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.
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Xin-Ran Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shao-Nan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Lu-Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, 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, Department of Chemistry, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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2
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Jemec Kokalj A, Dolar A, Nagode A, Drobne D, Kuljanin A, Kalčíková G. Response of terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber and mealworm Tenebrio molitor to non-degradable and biodegradable fossil-based mulching film microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175379. [PMID: 39137843 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175379] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural mulching films are potential sources of microplastics (MPs) in soil. As an alternative to conventional non-degradable mulching films, a variety of different biodegradable mulching films are used. However, it is not yet known whether MPs from biodegradable mulching films pose a lower risk to terrestrial invertebrates compared to MPs from conventional mulching films. In this study, the effects of MPs produced from two conventional polyethylene (PE-1 and PE-2) and two biodegradable (starch-based poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate); PBAT-BD-1, and PBAT-BD-2) fossil-based mulching films on terrestrial crustacean woodlice Porcellio scaber and mealworm Tenebrio molitor were compared. A key finding was that no clear differences in induced responses between biodegradable and conventional MPs were detected. No adverse effects on P. scaber after two weeks and on T. molitor after four weeks of exposure were observed up to 5 % (w/w dry soil) of either MP type. However, some sublethal physiological changes in metabolic rate and immune parameters were found in P. scaber after two weeks of exposure indicating a response of organisms to the presence of MP exposure in soil. In addition, it was demonstrated that both types of MPs might affect the soil water holding capacity and pH. In conclusion, we confirmed that biodegradable MPs can induce responses in organisms hence further studies testing the environmental hazard of biodegradable MPs are justified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Jemec Kokalj
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Andraž Dolar
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ana Nagode
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjana Drobne
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Aleksandra Kuljanin
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Martínez Rodríguez A, Kratina P, Jones JI. Microplastic pollution and nutrient enrichment shift the diet of freshwater macroinvertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124540. [PMID: 39004208 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124540] [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: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution poses a global threat to freshwater ecosystems, with laboratory experiments indicating potential toxic impacts through chemical toxicity, physical abrasion, and false satiation. Bioplastics have emerged as a potential greener alternative to traditional oil-based plastics. Yet, their environmental effects remain unclear, particularly at scales relevant to the natural environment. Additionally, the interactive impacts of microplastics with other environmental stressors, such as nutrient enrichment, are poorly understood and rarely studied. Under natural conditions organisms might be able to mitigate the toxic effects of microplastics by shifting their diet, but this ability may be compromised by other stressors. This study combines an outdoor mesocosm experiment and stable isotope analysis to determine changes in the trophic niches of three freshwater invertebrate species exposed to conventional (HDPE) and bio-based biodegradable (PLA) microplastics at two concentrations, both independently and combined with nutrient enrichment. Exposure to microplastics altered the isotopic niches of two of the invertebrate species, with nutrient enrichment mediating this effect. Moreover, the effects of microplastics were consistent regardless of their type or concentration. Under enriched conditions, two of the species exposed to microplastics shifted to a specialised diet compared with controls, whereas little difference was observed between the isotopic niches of those exposed to microplastic and controls under ambient nutrient conditions. Additionally, PLA was estimated to support 24 % of the diet of one species, highlighting the potential assimilation of bioplastics by biota and possible implications. Overall, these findings suggest that the toxic effects of microplastics suggested from laboratory studies might not manifest under real-world conditions. However, this study does demonstrate that subtle sublethal effects occur even at environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations. The crucial role of nutrient enrichment in mediating microplastic effects underscores the importance of considering microplastic pollution in the context of other environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martínez Rodríguez
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Pavel Kratina
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - J Iwan Jones
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
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4
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Jemec Kokalj A, Nagode A, Drobne D, Dolar A. Effects of agricultural microplastics in multigenerational tests with insects; mealworms Tenebrio molitor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174490. [PMID: 38969109 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174490] [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: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Mulching films, widely used in agriculture, are a large source of microplastics (MPs) to soil. However, there is little knowledge on the long-term effects of agricultural MPs on soil invertebrates. We investigated the effects of MPs from conventional non-biodegradable, fossil-based, low-density polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable fossil-based poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (starch-PBAT blend) mulching films on two generations of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor. No effects of MPs (0.005 %-5 %, w/w dry food) on mealworm development and survival were observed until the end of the experiments (12 weeks for the first generation, nine weeks for the second generation), but effects on their moulting and growth were observed. These were most evident for PE MPs (5 %, w/w), where a decrease in larval growth and moulting was noted in the first generation. On the contrary, PBAT MPs (5 %, w/w) significantly induced the growth of mealworms in the second generation. In addition, there was a non-significant trend towards increased growth at all other PBAT MP exposure concentrations. Increased growth is most likely due to the biodegradation of starch PBAT MPs by mealworms. Overall, these data suggest that PE and PBAT MPs do not induce significant effects on mealworms at environmentally relevant concentrations, but rather only at very high exposure concentrations (5 %).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Jemec Kokalj
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Ana Nagode
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Damjana Drobne
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andraž Dolar
- University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Peng BY, Wang WX. Microplastics Biofragmentation and Degradation Kinetics in the Plastivore Insect Tenebrio molitor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39028927 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c05113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
The insect Tenebrio molitor possesses an exceptional capacity for ultrafast plastic biodegradation within 1 day of gut retention, but the kinetics remains unknown. Herein, we investigated the biofragmentation and degradation kinetics of different microplastics (MPs), i.e., polyethylene (PE), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), in T. molitor larvae. The intestinal reactions contributing to the in vivo MPs biodegradation were concurrently examined by utilizing aggregated-induced emission (AIE) probes. Our findings revealed that the intestinal biofragmentation rates essentially followed the order of PLA > PE > PVC. Notably, all MPs displayed retention effects in the intestine, with PVC requiring the longest duration for complete removal/digestion. The dynamic rate constant of degradable MPs (0.2108 h-1 for PLA) was significantly higher than that of persistent MPs (0.0675 and 0.0501 h-1 for PE and PVC, respectively) during the digestive gut retention. Surprisingly,T. molitor larvae instinctively modulated their internal digestive environment in response to in vivo biodegradation of various MP polymers. Esterase activity and intestinal acidification both significantly increased following MPs ingestion. The highest esterase and acidification levels were observed in the PLA-fed and PVC-fed larvae, respectively. High digestive esterase activity and relatively low acidification levels inT. molitor larvae may, to some extent, contribute to more efficient MPs removal within the plastic-degrading insect. This work provided important understanding of MPs biofragmentation and intestinal responses to in vivo MPs biodegradation in plastic-degrading insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yu Peng
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
| | - Wen-Xiong Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen 518057, China
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Weng Y, Han X, Sun H, Wang J, Wang Y, Zhao X. Effects of polymerization types on plastics ingestion and biodegradation by Zophobas atratus larvae, and successions of both gut bacterial and fungal microbiomes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118677. [PMID: 38508358 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118677] [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: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies demonstrated that plastic degradation in Zophobas atratus superworms is related to the gut microbiota. To determine whether the biodegradation and gut-microbiota were influenced by ingested plastic polymerization types, foams of polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) were selected as representatives of polyolefins, polyester and copolymers, and the sole feedstock for superworms for 45 d. Both growth and survival rates of superworms were influenced by the type of plastic diet. Although the total consumptions of EVA- and PP-fed groups were similar at 29.03 ± 0.93 and 28.89 ± 1.14 mg/g-larva, which were both significantly higher than that of PU-fed groups (21.63 ± 2.18 mg/g-larva), the final survival rates of the EVA-fed group of 36.67 ± 10.41% exhibited significantly lower than that of the PP- and PU-fed groups of 76.67 ± 2.89% and 75.00 ± 7.07%, respectively, and even the starvation group of 51.67 ± 10.93%. The Illumina MiSeq results revealed similarities in the dominant gut bacterial communities between PU- and EVA-fed groups, with an increase in relative abundance of Lactococcus, but significant differences from the PP-fed groups, which had two predominant genera of unclassified Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus. Compared to bran-fed groups, changes in gut fungal communities were similar across all plastics-fed groups, with an increase in the dominant abundance of Rhodotorula. The abundance of Rhodotorula increased in the order of polyolefin, polyester, and copolymer. In summary, plastic ingestion, larval growth, and changes in gut bacterial and fungal community of superworms were all influenced by foam diets of different polymerization types, and especially influences on the gut microbiomes were different from each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Weng
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
| | - Xiaoyu Han
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
| | - Huayang Sun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China
| | - 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 Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China.
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Ding MQ, Ding J, Zhang ZR, Li MX, Cui CH, Pang JW, Xing DF, Ren NQ, Wu WM, Yang SS. Biodegradation of various grades of polyethylene microplastics by Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus larvae: Effects on their physiology. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120832. [PMID: 38599089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120832] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is the most productive plastic product and includes three major polymers including high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) variation in the PE depends on the branching of the polymer chain and its crystallinity. Tenebrio obscurus and Tenebrio molitor larvae biodegrade PE. We subsequently tested larval physiology, gut microbiome, oxidative stress, and PE degradation capability and degradation products under high-purity HDPE, LLDPE, and LDPE powders (<300 μm) diets for 21 days at 65 ± 5% humidity and 25 ± 0.5 °C. Our results demonstrated the specific PE consumption rates by T. molitor was 8.04-8.73 mg PE ∙ 100 larvae-1⋅day-1 and by T. obscurus was 7.68-9.31 for LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE, respectively. The larvae digested nearly 40% of the ingested three PE and showed similar survival rates and weight changes but their fat content decreased by 30-50% over 21-day period. All the PE-fed groups exhibited adverse effects, such as increased benzoquinone concentrations, intestinal tissue damage and elevated oxidative stress indicators, compared with bran-fed control. In the current study, the digestive tract or gut microbiome exhibited a high level of adaptability to PE exposure, altering the width of the gut microbial ecological niche and community diversity, revealing notable correlations between Tenebrio species and the physical and chemical properties (PCPs) of PE-MPs, with the gut microbiome and molecular weight change due to biodegradation. An ecotoxicological simulation by T.E.S.T. confirmed that PE degradation products were little ecotoxic to Daphnia magna and Rattus norvegicus providing important novel insights for future investigations into the environmentally-friendly approach of insect-mediated biodegradation of persistent plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Qi Ding
- 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-Rong Zhang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, China
| | - Mei-Xi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Chen-Hao Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Ji-Wei Pang
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, CECEP Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100089, 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
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China.
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He L, Ding J, Yang SS, Zang YN, Pang JW, Xing D, Zhang LY, Ren N, Wu WM. Molecular-Weight-Dependent Degradation of Plastics: Deciphering Host-Microbiome Synergy Biodegradation of High-Purity Polypropylene Microplastics by Mealworms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6647-6658. [PMID: 38563431 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The biodegradation of polypropylene (PP), a highly persistent nonhydrolyzable polymer, by Tenebrio molitor has been confirmed using commercial PP microplastics (MPs) (Mn 26.59 and Mw 187.12 kDa). This confirmation was based on the reduction of the PP mass, change in molecular weight (MW), and a positive Δδ13C in the residual PP. A MW-dependent biodegradation mechanism was investigated using five high-purity PP MPs, classified into low (0.83 and 6.20 kDa), medium (50.40 and 108.0 kDa), and high (575.0 kDa) MW categories to access the impact of MW on the depolymerization pattern and associated gene expression of gut bacteria and the larval host. The larvae can depolymerize/biodegrade PP polymers with high MW although the consumption rate and weight losses increased, and survival rates declined with increasing PP MW. This pattern is similar to observations with polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE), i.e., both Mn and Mw decreased after being fed low MW PP, while Mn and/or Mw increased after high MW PP was fed. The gut microbiota exhibited specific bacteria associations, such as Kluyvera sp. and Pediococcus sp. for high MW PP degradation, Acinetobacter sp. for medium MW PP, and Bacillus sp. alongside three other bacteria for low MW PP metabolism. In the host transcriptome, digestive enzymes and plastic degradation-related bacterial enzymes were up-regulated after feeding on PP depending on different MWs. The T. molitor host exhibited both defensive function and degradation capability during the biodegradation of plastics, with high MW PP showing a relatively negative impact on the larvae.
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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
- CAS Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jie Ding
- 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
| | - Ya-Ni Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ji-Wei Pang
- CECEP Digital Technology Co., Ltd., China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, Beijing 100096, China
| | - Defeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Lu-Yan Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Yancheng Institute of Technology, Yancheng 224051, China
| | - Nanqi 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, California 94305, United States
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Jiang H, Wang Y, Sun J, Mao Y, Que S, Lin Y, Huang Y, Lei X. The aging behavior of degradable plastic polylactic acid under the interaction of environmental factors. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:163. [PMID: 38592574 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01932-5] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics leaching from aging biodegradable plastics pose potential environmental threats. This study used response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the impact of temperature, light, and humidity on the aging characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA). Key evaluation metrics included the C/O ratio, functional groups, crystallinity, surface topography, and mechanical properties. Humidity was discovered to have the greatest effect on the ageing of PLA, followed by light and temperature. The interactions between temperature and light, as well as humidity and sunlight, significantly impact the aging of PLA. XPS analysis revealed PLA underwent aging due to the cleavage of the ester bond (O-C=O), resulting in the addition of C=O and C-O. The aging process of PLA was characterized by alterations in surface morphology and augmentation in crystallinity, resulting in a decline in both tensile strength and elongation. These findings might offer insights into the aging behavior of degradable plastics under diverse environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Yiqun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Jiaoxia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Yufeng Mao
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Sisi Que
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Yulian Lin
- Chongqing Water Resources and Electric Engineering College, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China.
- Chongqing Academy of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401121, China.
| | - Xiaoling Lei
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China.
- Chongqing Academy of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401121, China.
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Alaraby M, Abass D, Farre M, Hernández A, Marcos R. Are bioplastics safe? Hazardous effects of polylactic acid (PLA) nanoplastics in Drosophila. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170592. [PMID: 38354814 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170592] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The expanded uses of bioplastics require understanding the potential health risks associated with their exposure. To address this issue, Drosophila melanogaster as a versatile terrestrial in vivo model was employed, and polylactic acid nanoplastics (PLA-NPLs), as a proxy for bioplastics, were tested as a material model. Effects were determined in larvae exposed for 4 days to different concentrations (25, 100, and 400 μg/mL) of 463.9 ± 129.4 nm PLA-NPLs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) approaches permitted the detection of PLA-NPLs in the midgut lumen of Drosophila larvae, interacting with symbiotic bacteria. Enzymatic vacuoles were observed as carriers, collecting PLA-NPLs and enabling the crossing of the peritrophic membrane, finally internalizing into enterocytes. Although no toxic effects were observed in egg-to-adult survival, cell uptake of PLA-NPLs causes cytological disturbances and the formation of large vacuoles. The translocation across the intestinal barrier was demonstrated by their presence in the hemolymph. PLA-NPL exposure triggered intestinal damage, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation responses, as evaluated via a wide set of marker genes. Collectively, these structural and molecular interferences caused by PLA-NPLs generated high levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage in the hemocytes of Drosophila larvae. The observed effects point out the need for further studies aiming to deepen the health risks of bioplastics before adopting their uses as a safe plastic alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Alaraby
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Zoology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt.
| | - Doaa Abass
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain; Zoology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Sohag University, 82524 Sohag, Egypt
| | - Marinella Farre
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDÆA-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alba Hernández
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
| | - Ricard Marcos
- Group of Mutagenesis, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Biosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain.
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11
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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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12
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Li P, Liu J. Micro(nano)plastics in the Human Body: Sources, Occurrences, Fates, and Health Risks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38315819 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The increasing global attention on micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) is a result of their ubiquity in the water, air, soil, and biosphere, exposing humans to MNPs on a daily basis and threatening human health. However, crucial data on MNPs in the human body, including the sources, occurrences, behaviors, and health risks, are limited, which greatly impedes any systematic assessment of their impact on the human body. To further understand the effects of MNPs on the human body, we must identify existing knowledge gaps that need to be immediately addressed and provide potential solutions to these issues. Herein, we examined the current literature on the sources, occurrences, and behaviors of MNPs in the human body as well as their potential health risks. Furthermore, we identified key knowledge gaps that must be resolved to comprehensively assess the effects of MNPs on human health. Additionally, we addressed that the complexity of MNPs and the lack of efficient analytical methods are the main barriers impeding current investigations on MNPs in the human body, necessitating the development of a standard and unified analytical method. Finally, we highlighted the need for interdisciplinary studies from environmental, biological, medical, chemical, computer, and material scientists to fill these knowledge gaps and drive further research. Considering the inevitability and daily occurrence of human exposure to MNPs, more studies are urgently required to enhance our understanding of their potential negative effects on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jingfu Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
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13
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Peng BY, Sun Y, Li P, Yu S, Xu Y, Chen J, Zhou X, Wu WM, Zhang Y. Biodegradation of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polylactic acid microplastics in Tenebrio molitor larvae: Physiological responses. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118818. [PMID: 37633102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
It is widely understood that microplastics (MPs) can induce various biological stresses in macroinvertebrates that are incapable of biodegrading plastics. However, the biodegradation and physiological responses of plastic-degrading macroinvertebrates toward MPs of different degradability levels remain unexplored. In this study, Tenebrio molitor larvae (mealworms) were selected as a model of plastics-degrading macroinvertebrate, and were tested against three common plastics of different degradability rankings: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), and polylactic acid (PLA) MPs (size <300 μm). These three MPs were biodegraded with the rate sequence of PLA > PS > PVC, resulting in a reversed order of negative physiological responses (body weight loss, decreased survival, and biomass depletion) of mealworms. Simultaneously, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation were uniformly increased as polymer degradability decreased and intermediate toxicity increased. PVC MPs exhibited higher toxicity than the other two polymers. The oxidative stresses were effectively alleviated by supplementing co-diet bran. The T. molitor larvae fed with PLA plus bran showed sustainable growth without an increase in oxidative stress. The results provide new insights into the biotoxicity of MPs on macroinvertebrates and offer comprehensive information on the physiological stress responses of plastic-degrading macroinvertebrates during the biodegradation of plastics with different degradability levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Ping Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Siran Yu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai East Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Yazhou Xu
- National Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Jiabin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305-4020, United States.
| | - Yalei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China; National Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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14
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Peng BY, Xiao S, Sun Y, Liu Y, Chen J, Zhou X, Wu WM, Zhang Y. Unveiling Fragmentation of Plastic Particles during Biodegradation of Polystyrene and Polyethylene Foams in Mealworms: Highly Sensitive Detection and Digestive Modeling Prediction. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:15099-15111. [PMID: 37751481 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
It remains unknown whether plastic-biodegrading macroinvertebrates generate microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) during the biodegradation of plastics. In this study, we utilized highly sensitive particle analyzers and pyrolyzer-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GCMS) to investigate the possibility of generating MPs and NPs in frass during the biodegradation of polystyrene (PS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foams by mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae). We also developed a digestive biofragmentation model to predict and unveil the fragmentation process of ingested plastics. The mealworms removed 77.3% of ingested PS and 71.1% of ingested PE over a 6-week test period. Biodegradation of both polymers was verified by the increase in the δ13C signature of residual plastics, changes in molecular weights, and the formation of new oxidative functional groups. MPs accumulated in the frass due to biofragmentation, with residual PS and PE exhibiting the maximum percentage by number at 2.75 and 7.27 μm, respectively. Nevertheless, NPs were not detected using a laser light scattering sizer with a detection limit of 10 nm and Py-GCMS analysis. The digestive biofragmentation model predicted that the ingested PS and PE were progressively size-reduced and rapidly biodegraded, indicating the shorter half-life the smaller plastic particles have. This study allayed concerns regarding the accumulation of NPs by plastic-degrading mealworms and provided critical insights into the factors controlling MP and NP generation during macroinvertebrate-mediated plastic biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaoze Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yurong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Smart Manufacturing in Energy Chemical Process, Ministry of Education, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiabin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States
| | - Yalei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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15
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Jung H, Shin G, Park SB, Jegal J, Park SA, Park J, Oh DX, Kim HJ. Circular waste management: Superworms as a sustainable solution for biodegradable plastic degradation and resource recovery. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 171:568-579. [PMID: 37812971 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Bioplastics offer a promising solution to plastic pollution, however, their production frequently relies on edible biomass, and their degradation rates remain inadequate. This study investigates the potential of superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae) for polybutylene succinate (PBS) waste management, aiming to achieve both resource recovery and biodegradation. Superworms exclusively fed on PBS for a month exhibited the same survival rate as those on a standard bran diet. PBS digestion yielded a 5.13% weight gain and a 23.23% increase in protein composition in superworms. Additionally, carbon isotope analyses substantiated the conversion of PBS into superworm components. Gut microbes capable of PBS biodegradation became progressively prominent, further augmenting the degradation rate of PBS under composting conditions (ISO 14855-1). Gut-free superworms fed with PBS exhibited antioxidant activities comparable to those of blueberries, renowned for their high antioxidant activity. Based on these findings, this study introduces a sustainable circular solution encompassing recycling PBS waste to generate insect biomass, employing insect gut and frass for PBS degradation and fertilizer, and harnessing insect residue as a food source. In essence, the significance of this research extends to socio-economic and environmental spheres, impacting waste management, resource efficiency, circular economy promotion, environmental preservation, industrial advancement, and global sustainability objectives. The study's outcomes possess the potential to reshape society's approach to plastic waste, facilitating a shift toward more sustainable paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyuni Jung
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Giyoung Shin
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Bae Park
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Jonggeon Jegal
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Seul-A Park
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeyoung Park
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea.
| | - Dongyeop X Oh
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea; Department of Polymer Science and Engineering and Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyo Jeong Kim
- Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea.
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16
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Liu H, Jiao Q, Pan T, Liu W, Li S, Zhu X, Zhang T. Aging behavior of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics accelerated by UV/H 2O 2 processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 337:139360. [PMID: 37392793 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The usage of biodegradable plastics is expanding annually due to worldwide plastic limits, resulting in a substantial number of microplastics (MPs) particles formed from biodegradable plastic products entering the aquatic environment. Until now, the environmental behaviors of these plastic product-derived MPs (PPDMPs) have remained unclear. In this work, commercially available polylactic acid (PLA) straws and PLA food bags were used to evaluate the dynamic aging process and environmental behavior of PLA PPDMPs under UV/H2O2 conditions. By combining scanning electron microscopy, two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform infrared correlation spectroscopy (COS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it was determined that the aging process of the PLA PPDMPs was slower than that of pure MPs. The 2D-COS analysis revealed that the response orders for the functional groups on the PLA MPs differed during the aging process. The results demonstrated that the oxygen-containing functional groups of the PLA PPDMPs were the first to react. Subsequently, the -C-H and -C-C- structural responses began, and the polymer backbone was ruptured by the aging process. However, the aging of the pure-PLA MPs started with a brief oxidation process and then breakage of the polymer backbones, followed by continuous oxidation. Moreover, compared to the PLA PPDMPs, the pure-PLA MPs exhibited a greater adsorption capacity, which was increased by 88% after aging, whereas those of the two PPDMPs only increased by 64% and 56%, respectively. This work provides new insights into the behaviors of biodegradable PLA MPs in aquatic environments, which is critical for assessing the environmental risks and management policies for degradable MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxin Jiao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Pan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyi Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangyi Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobiao Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Peng BY, Sun Y, Zhang X, Sun J, Xu Y, Xiao S, Chen J, Zhou X, Zhang Y. Unveiling the residual plastics and produced toxicity during biodegradation of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics by mealworms (Larvae of Tenebrio molitor). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 452:131326. [PMID: 37027925 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Evidence for plastic degradation by mealworms has been reported. However, little is known about the residual plastics derived from incomplete digestion during mealworm-mediated plastic biodegradation. We herein reveal the residual plastic particles and toxicity produced during mealworm-mediated biodegradation of the three most common microplastics, i.e., polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). All three microplastics are effectively depolymerized and biodegraded. We discover that the PVC-fed mealworms exhibit the lowest survival rate (81.3 ± 1.5%) and the highest body weight reduction (15.1 ± 1.1%) among the experimental groups by the end of the 24-day experiment. We also demonstrate that the residual PVC microplastic particles are more difficult to depurate and excrete for the mealworms compared to the residual PE and PS particles by using laser direct infrared spectrometry. The levels of oxidative stress responses, including reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation, are also highest in the PVC-fed mealworms. Sub-micron microplastics and small microplastics are found in the frass of mealworms fed with PE, PS, and PVC, with the smallest particles detected at diameters of 5.0, 4.0, and 5.9 µm, respectively. Our findings provide insights into the residual microplastics and microplastic-induced stress responses in macroinvertebrates under micro(nano)plastics exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yazhou Xu
- National Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Protected Agriculture, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaoze Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiabin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- 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.
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18
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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: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [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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19
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Kavallieratos NG, Nika EP, Gounari PD. Five Surfaces Treated with d-Tetramethrin plus Acetamiprid for the Management of Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus: Which Is the Best? INSECTS 2023; 14:insects14050452. [PMID: 37233080 DOI: 10.3390/insects14050452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Tenebrio molitor L. (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Alphitobius diaperinus Panzer (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are two common tenebrionids occurring in grain storages. In this study, we assessed the immediate and delayed mortalities caused by d-tetramethrin plus acetamiprid on five different surfaces, i.e., plastic, glass, metal, wood, and ceramic, against adults of the two species. The tests included two label doses of the insecticide (minimum and maximum) and two food scenarios (food and no food). Generally, the maximum dose was more efficient than the minimum dose, and the presence of food resulted in lower observed mortalities than when food was absent. Tenebrio molitor was more susceptible than A. diaperinus, at all dose, food, and surface scenarios. At delayed bioassays, both doses killed all T. molitor on plastic, while on wood, mortality ranged between 80.6 and 100.0%, regardless of the food scenario. Concerning A. diaperinus, delayed mortalities ranged among treated surfaces, food scenarios, and dose from 58.3 to 100.0%. The insecticide killed the most individuals when it was treated on glass, while when it was applied on wood caused the death of the least individuals. Concerning plastic, metal, and ceramic surfaces, no general trend was observed. The maximum dose of the tested insecticide provides elevated mortalities for both species when food is absent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickolas G Kavallieratos
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Erifili P Nika
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Penelope D Gounari
- Laboratory of Agricultural Zoology and Entomology, Department of Crop Science, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Str., 11855 Athens, Greece
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Idris SN, Amelia TSM, Bhubalan K, Lazim AMM, Zakwan NAMA, Jamaluddin MI, Santhanam R, Amirul AAA, Vigneswari S, Ramakrishna S. The degradation of single-use plastics and commercially viable bioplastics in the environment: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 231:115988. [PMID: 37105296 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have become an integral part of human life. Single-use plastics (SUPs) are disposable plastics designed to be used once then promptly discarded or recycled. This SUPs range from packaging and takeaway containers to disposable razors and hotel toiletries. Synthetic plastics, which are made of non-renewable petroleum and natural gas resources, require decades to perpetually disintegrate in nature thus contribute to plastic pollution worldwide, especially in marine environments. In response to these problems, bioplastics or bio-based and biodegradable polymers from renewable sources has been considered as an alternative. Understanding the mechanisms behind the degradation of conventional SUPs and biodegradability of their greener counterpart, bioplastics, is crucial for appropriate material selection in the future. This review aims to provide insights into the degradation or disintegration of conventional single-use plastics and the biodegradability of the different types of greener-counterparts, bioplastics, their mechanisms, and conditions. This review highlights on the biodegradation in the environments including composting systems. Here, the various types of alternative biodegradable polymers, such as bacterially biosynthesised bioplastics, natural fibre-reinforced plastics, starch-, cellulose-, lignin-, and soy-based polymers were explored. Review of past literature revealed that although bioplastics are relatively eco-friendly, their natural compositions and properties are inconsistent. Furthermore, the global plastic market for biodegradable plastics remains relatively small and require further research and commercialization efforts, especially considering the urgency of plastic and microplastic pollution as currently critical global issue. Biodegradable plastics have potential to replace conventional plastics as they show biodegradation ability under real environments, and thus intensive research on the various biodegradable plastics is needed to inform stakeholders and policy makers on the appropriate response to the gradually emerging biodegradable plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Norliyana Idris
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Tan Suet May Amelia
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Kesaven Bhubalan
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia; Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Anim Maisara Mohd Lazim
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | | | - Muhammad Imran Jamaluddin
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Rameshkumar Santhanam
- Faculty of Science and Marine Environment, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
| | - Al-Ashraf Abdullah Amirul
- School of Biological Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia; Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals, National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia.
| | - Sevakumaran Vigneswari
- Institute of Marine Biotechnology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Center for Nanotechnology and Sustainability, national University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
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Wu F, Guo Z, Cui K, Dong D, Yang X, Li J, Wu Z, Li L, Dai Y, Pan T. Insights into characteristics of white rot fungus during environmental plastics adhesion and degradation mechanism of plastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 448:130878. [PMID: 36731319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Since the 1980s, plastic waste in the environment has been accumulating, and little is known about fungi biodegradation, especially in dry environments. Therefore, the research on plastic degradation technology is urgent. In this study, we demonstrated that Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysposporium), a typical species of white rot fungi, could react as a highly efficient biodegrader of polylactic acid (PLA), and 34.35 % of PLA degradation was obtained during 35-day incubation. A similar mass loss of 19.71 % could be achieved for polystyrene (PS) degradation. Here, we presented the visualization of the plastic deterioration process and their negative reciprocal on cell development, which may be caused by the challenge of using PS as a substrate. The RNA-seq analysis indicated that adaptations in energy metabolism and cellular defense were downregulated in the PS group, while lipid synthesis was upregulated in the PLA-treated group. Possible differentially expressed genes (DEG) of plastic degradation, such as hydrophobic proteins, lignin peroxidase (LiP), manganese peroxidase (MnP) and laccase (Lac), Cytochrome P450 (CYP450), and genes involved in styrene or benzoic acid degradation pathways have been recorded, and we proposed a PS degradation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyan Wu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Zhi Guo
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Kangping Cui
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Dazhuang Dong
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Xue Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Jie Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Zhangzhen Wu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Lele Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Yaodan Dai
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
| | - Tao Pan
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
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Meng K, Lwanga EH, van der Zee M, Munhoz DR, Geissen V. Fragmentation and depolymerization of microplastics in the earthworm gut: A potential for microplastic bioremediation? JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130765. [PMID: 36640504 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of microplastics poses potential risks to soil health. Here, we did a preliminary exploration on the potential of Lumbricus terrestris (Oligochaeta) to reduce low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) microplastic (20-648 µm) contamination in soils. The ingestion of microplastics-contaminated soil (1% of microplastics, dw/dw) in a mesocosm system and the ingestion of pure microplastics in the Petri Dish by earthworms were studied. Results show that earthworms survived in the microplastics-contaminated soil (0% mortality in 35 days) but barely when exposed solely to microplastics (30-80% mortality in 4 days). Size-dependent ingestion of microplastics was not observed. The fragmentation of LDPE microplastics in the gizzard facilitated by soil was confirmed by the significantly increased ratio of small-sized (20-113 µm) microplastics from the bulk soil to the gut (from 8.4% to 18.8%). PLA and PBAT microplastics were fragmented by gizzard without the facilitation of soil, the ratios of small-sized (20-113 µm) PLA and PBAT microplastics in the gut were 55.5% and 108.2% higher than in respective pristine distributions. Substantial depolymerization of PLA (weight-average molar mass reduced by 17.7% with shift in molecular weight distribution) and suspected depolymerization of PBAT were observed in the worm gut, while no change in the molar mass was observed for PLA and PBAT microplastics buried in the soil for 49 days. Our results suggest that ingested microplastics could undergo fragmentation and depolymerization (for certain polymers) in the earthworm gut. Further research is needed to reveal the mechanisms of polymer depolymerization in the earthworm gut and to evaluate the feasibility of microplastic bioremediation with earthworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Meng
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Esperanza Huerta Lwanga
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands; Agroecología, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche, Av Polígono s/n, Cd. Industrial, Lerma, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Maarten van der Zee
- Wageningen Food & Biobased Research, Bornse Weilanden 9, 6708WG Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Davi Renato Munhoz
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Violette Geissen
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB Wageningen, the Netherlands
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Sun Y, Peng BY, Wang X, Li Y, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Xia S, Zhao J. Adsorption and desorption mechanisms of oxytetracycline on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) microplastics after degradation: The effects of biofilms, Cu(II), water pH, and dissolved organic matter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160866. [PMID: 36526173 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As the application of biodegradable polymers has grown, so has the interest in exploring the environmental behaviors of biodegradable microplastics (MPs). In this study, we investigated the interaction of oxytetracycline (OTC) with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) MPs after biodegradation, and explored the effect of the coexisting Cu(II) on OTC adsorption and desorption processes. The maximum adsorption amounts of virgin PBAT, biofilm PBAT, and degraded PBAT reached 692.05 μg·g-1, 1396.21 μg·g-1, and 1869.93 μg·g-1, respectively, and the presence of Cu(II) increased the OTC adsorption capacities by 431.16 %, 165.99 %, and 132.94 %, respectively. The enhanced adsorption capacities were attributed to the formation of PBAT-Cu-OTC complexes. The remarkable desorption hysteresis of OTC was observed on the degraded PBAT but not on the biofilm PBAT when Cu(II) was present, due to the complexation between Cu(II) and biofilms. The effect of Cu(II) varied depending on the MP physiochemical properties (e.g., surface areas, zeta potentials, and functional groups) and the environmental factors (e.g., the solution pH and coexisting dissolved organic matter). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) coupled with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) identified the Cu(II) bridging effect, and various interaction forces between PBAT and OTC, including hydrogen-bonding, π-π, cation-π, and electrostatic interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Sun
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bo-Yu Peng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xuejiang Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
| | - Yuan Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Institute of Environment, Resource, Soil and Fertilizer, Zhejiang Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- College of Chemical Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jianfu Zhao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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24
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Shah R, Nguyen TV, Marcora A, Ruffell A, Hulthen A, Pham K, Wijffels G, Paull C, Beale DJ. Exposure to polylactic acid induces oxidative stress and reduces the ceramide levels in larvae of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:115137. [PMID: 36563977 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic biodegradation by insects has made significant progress, opening up new avenues for the treatment of plastic waste. Wax moth larvae, for example, have attracted the attention of the scientific community because they are known to chew, ingest, and biodegrade natural polymer bee waxes. Despite this, we know very little about how these insects perform on manufactured plastics or how manufactured plastics affect insect metabolism. As a result, we studied the metabolism of greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella) fed on molasses-supplemented polylactic acid plastic (PLA) blocks. An analysis of the central carbon metabolism (CCM) metabolites was performed using liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-QQQ-MS), while an analysis of untargeted metabolites and lipids was conducted using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF-MS). In total, 169 targeted CCM metabolites, 222 untargeted polar metabolites, and 196 untargeted nonpolar lipids were identified within the insect samples. In contrast, compared to control larvae, PLA-fed larvae displayed significantly different levels of 97 CCM metabolites, 75 polar metabolites, and 57 lipids. Purine and pyrimidine metabolisms were affected by PLA feeding, as well as amino acid metabolism, carbohydrates, cofactors, vitamins, and related metabolisms. Additionally, PLA exposure disrupted insect energy metabolism and oxidative stress, among other metabolic disturbances. The larvae fed PLA have lower levels of several lipids, suggesting a reduction in lipid reserves, and ceramide levels are likely to have changed due to apoptosis and inflammation. The study indicates that G. mellonella larvae could ingest PLA but this process causes some metabolic stress for the host. Future studies of the molecular pathways of this biodegradation process might help to provide strategies for stress reduction that would speed up insect digestion of plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Shah
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Thao V Nguyen
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Anna Marcora
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Angela Ruffell
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Andrew Hulthen
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Khoa Pham
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Clayton VIC 4067, Australia
| | - Gene Wijffels
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia
| | - Cate Paull
- Agriculture and Food, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia
| | - David J Beale
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Ecosciences Precinct, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia.
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25
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Ding MQ, Yang SS, Ding J, Zhang ZR, Zhao YL, Dai W, Sun HJ, Zhao L, Xing D, Ren N, Wu WM. Gut Microbiome Associating with Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism during Biodegradation of Polyethene in Tenebrio larvae with Crop Residues as Co-Diets. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3031-3041. [PMID: 36790312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae are two commercial insects that eat plant and crop residues as diets and also biodegrade synthetic plastics polyethylene (PE). We examined biodegradation of low-density PE (LDPE) foam (Mn = 28.9 kDa and Mw = 342.0 kDa) with and without respective co-diets, i.e., wheat brain (WB) or corn flour (CF), corn straw (CS), and rice straw (RS) at 4:1 (w/w), and their gut microbiome and genetic metabolic functional groups at 27.0 ± 0.5 °C after 28 days of incubation. The presence of co-diets enhanced LDPE consumption in both larvae and broad-depolymerized the ingested LDPE. The diet type shaped gut microbial diversity, potential pathways, and metabolic functions. The sequence of effectiveness of co-diets was WB or CF > CS > RS for larval development and LDPE degradation. Co-occurrence networks indicated that the larvae co-fed with LDPE displayed more complex correlations of gut microbiome than the larvae fed with single diets. The primary diet of WB or CF and crop residues CS and RS provided energy and nitrogen source to significantly enhance LDPE biodegradation with synergistic activities of the gut microbiota. For the larvae fed LDPE and LDPE plus co-diets, nitrogen fixation function was stimulated compared to normal diets and associated with LDPE biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Qi Ding
- 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-Rong Zhang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yi-Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Han-Jun Sun
- 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
| | - Defeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Nanqi 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, Department of Chemistry, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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26
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Zhong Z, Zhou X, Xie Y, Chu LM. The interplay of larval age and particle size regulates micro-polystyrene biodegradation and development of Tenebrio molitor L. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159335. [PMID: 36228792 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159335] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics, tiny plastic fragments from 1 μm to 5 mm, are widespread globally, even in remote environments. Due to their small sizes, they are easily ingested by organisms and contaminate the food chain. Recently, the biodegradation of some recalcitrant plastics by larva of Tenebrio molitor L. (mealworm) has been reported. However, the effects of microplastic feeding on them are limited. In our study, we selected rigid micro-polystyrene (MPS) as the model plastic to investigate the influences of particle size and larval age on plastic consumption and degradation, and the effects of microplastic feeding on the survival and development of mealworms at different larval ages. The smaller the microplastic fragment was, the more plastics the mealworms consumed, though there was a limit on particle size. Mealworms of three-month-old had the highest consumption rate. Both depolymerization and modification on the functional groups were only observed in frass excreted by three-month old mealworms. Additionally, mealworms cofed with wheat bran and MPS of this age had comparable mortality, larval growing curve and pupation distribution as the control group with wheat bran. Our results demonstrated that mealworms in this larval stage had the greatest resistance to high doses of microplastic feeding. We suggested that microplastic waste could be provided to three-month old mealworms as half replacement of bran diet to result in the greatest plastic consumption and degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhong
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - Xi Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency Test for Dangerous Chemicals, Guangdong Provincial Public Laboratory of Analysis and Testing Technology, Guangdong Institute of Analysis, Guangzhou 510070, Guangdong, China
| | - Yichun Xie
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
| | - L M Chu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong.
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27
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Jiménez‐Arroyo C, Tamargo A, Molinero N, Moreno‐Arribas MV. The gut microbiota, a key to understanding the health implications of micro(nano)plastics and their biodegradation. Microb Biotechnol 2023; 16:34-53. [PMID: 36415969 PMCID: PMC9803334 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of plastic debris on the environment and plant, animal, and human health are a global challenge, with micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) being the main focus. MNPs are found so often in the food chain that they are provoking an increase in human intake. They have been detected in most categories of consumed foods, drinking water, and even human feces. Therefore, oral ingestion becomes the main source of exposure to MNPs, and the gastrointestinal tract, primarily the gut, constantly interacts with these small particles. The consequences of human exposure to MNPs remain unclear. However, current in vivo studies and in vitro gastrointestinal tract models have shown that MNPs of several types and sizes impact gut intestinal bacteria, affecting gut homeostasis. The typical microbiome signature of MNP ingestion is often associated with dysbiosis and loss of resilience, leads to frequent pathogen outbreaks, and local and systemic metabolic disorders. Moreover, the small micro- and nano-plastic particles found in animal tissues with accumulated evidence of microbial degradation of plastics/MNPs by bacteria and insect gut microbiota raise the issue of whether human gut bacteria make key contributions to the bio-transformation of ingested MNPs. Here, we discuss these issues and unveil the complex interplay between MNPs and the human gut microbiome. Therefore, the elucidation of the biological consequences of this interaction on both host and microbiota is undoubtedly challenging. It is expected that microbial biotechnology and microbiome research could help decipher the extent to which gut microorganisms diversify and MNP-determinant species, mechanisms, and enzymatic systems, as well as become important to understand our response to MNP exposure and provide background information to inspire future holistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alba Tamargo
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL)CSIC‐UAMMadridSpain
| | - Natalia Molinero
- Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL)CSIC‐UAMMadridSpain
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Yu Y, Ding Y, Zhou C, Ge S. Aging of polylactic acid microplastics during hydrothermal treatment of sewage sludge and its effects on heavy metals adsorption. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114532. [PMID: 36243048 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics' (MPs) aging process and environmental behavior have attracted extensive attention due to the potential long-term ecological impact. MPs enriched in sludge may accelerate aging during sludge treatment and the affecting environmental behavior, i.e., adsorption performance for pollutants. However, the related studies have not been well researched, especially for the biodegradable MPs. This study revealed the influences of hydrothermal treatment on the characteristics of polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) and the consequences on heavy metals adsorption. The changes in PLA-MPs' physiochemical properties were characterized and compared. PLA-MPs' surface became irregular, and the oxygen-containing functional groups increased through FTIR and XPS analysis. Meanwhile, the molecular weight and crystallinity of PLA-MPs decreased significantly with the rising in hydrothermal temperature. Accordingly, the adsorption capacity of PLA-MPs for Pb2+ increased from 93.97 μg g-1 for the raw PLA-MPs to 1058.03 μg g-1 for the aged PLA-MPs. Multiple adsorption kinetics and isotherms were discussed for the Pb2+ adsorption onto PLA-MPs with different aging of the PLA-MPs. The adsorption mechanisms of Pb2+ relate to electrostatic interaction and complexation. The main difference is that the adsorption for raw PLA-MPs is dominated by physical and chemical adsorption, whereas the adsorption for the aged PLA-MPs prefers chemical adsorption. In addition, we carefully evaluated the influences of pH, dissolved organic matter, and ionic strength on the PLA-MPs adsorption. The present study highlighted the significance of hydrothermal treatment on the MPs aging and the adsorption performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- School of Energy and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, PR China.
| | - Yindi Ding
- School of Energy and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, PR China
| | - Cailing Zhou
- School of Energy and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, PR China
| | - Shifu Ge
- School of Energy and Environment, MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, PR China
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Mistry AN, Kachenchart B, Pinyakong O, Assavalapsakul W, Jitpraphai SM, Somwangthanaroj A, Luepromchai E. Bioaugmentation with a defined bacterial consortium: A key to degrade high molecular weight polylactic acid during traditional composting. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 367:128237. [PMID: 36332866 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA) is commercialized as a compostable bio-thermoplastic. PLA degrades under industrial composting conditions where elevated temperatures are maintained for a long timeframe. However, these conditions cannot be achieved in a non-industrial compost pile. Therefore, this study aims to degrade high molecular weight PLA films by adding a PLA-degrading bacterial consortium (EAc) comprised of Nocardioides zeae EA12, Stenotrophomonas pavanii EA33, Gordonia desulfuricans EA63, and Chitinophaga jiangningensis EA02 during traditional composting. With EAc-bioaugmentation, PLA films (5-30% w/w) had complete disintegration (35 d), 77-82% molecular weight reduction (16 d), and higher CO2 liberation and mineralization than non-bioaugmented composting. Bacterial community analyses showed that EAc-bioaugmentation increased the relative abundance of Schlegelella, a known polymer degrader, and interacted positively with beneficial indigenous microbes like Bacillus, Schlegelella and Thermopolyspora. The bioaugmentation also decreased compost phytotoxicity. Hence, consortium EAc shows potential in PLA-waste treatment applications, such as backyard and small-scale composting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avnish Nitin Mistry
- International Program in Hazardous Substance and Environmental Management (IP-HSM), Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Boonlue Kachenchart
- Faculty of Environment and Resource Studies, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Onruthai Pinyakong
- Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Microbial Technology for Marine Pollution Treatment (MiTMaPT), Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Wanchai Assavalapsakul
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Technology for Marine Pollution Treatment (MiTMaPT), Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Somrudee Meprasert Jitpraphai
- Center of Excellence in Microbial Technology for Marine Pollution Treatment (MiTMaPT), Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Anongnat Somwangthanaroj
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ekawan Luepromchai
- Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Microbial Technology for Marine Pollution Treatment (MiTMaPT), Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Wang S, Jiang J, Gu M, Gao F, Shen Z. Catalytic production of 1,2-propanediol from sucrose over a functionalized Pt/deAl-beta zeolite catalyst. RSC Adv 2022; 13:734-741. [PMID: 36683773 PMCID: PMC9808589 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra07097a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
To eliminate the dependence on fossil fuels and expand the applications of biomass conversion, an efficient Pt/deAl-beta@Mg(OH)2 catalyst was designed, with dealuminated beta zeolite loaded with Pt as the core and Mg(OH)2 as the shell. The catalyst was used to produce 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) from sucrose. The preparation and reaction conditions of the catalyst were optimized. The optimal yield of 1,2-PDO was 33.5% when the conditions were 20 h of dealumination, 3.0 wt% Pt loading, 5.0 wt% Mg(OH)2, 200 mg of catalyst, 10 mL (11.25 mg mL-1) of sucrose solution, an initial H2 pressure of 6 MPa, 200 °C, and 3 h. The core-shell structure of the modified beta zeolite shows good stability, yielding more than 30.0% after three cycles of reuse. Firstly, the molecular zeolite can host more acid sites after dealumination by concentrated nitric acid and this can prolong the catalyst's service life. Secondly, the loading of Pt increases the distribution of acid sites and improves the shape selectivity of the catalyst. The introduction of alkali produces many alkaline sites, inhibits the occurrence of side reactions, and increases the product yield. The above modification methods increase the production of 1,2-PDO by promoting isomerization between glucose and fructose from sucrose hydrolysis and the reverse aldol condensation (RAC) reaction. This paper provides a theoretical basis and reference route for applying biomass conversion technology in practical production, which is of great significance for developing biomass resources into high-value-added chemical products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhuo Wang
- National Facility Agriculture Engineering Technology Research Center, Institute of New Rural Development, Tongji UniversityShanghai 201804China+86-21-65985811
| | - Jikang Jiang
- National Facility Agriculture Engineering Technology Research Center, Institute of New Rural Development, Tongji UniversityShanghai 201804China+86-21-65985811
| | - Minyan Gu
- National Facility Agriculture Engineering Technology Research Center, Institute of New Rural Development, Tongji UniversityShanghai 201804China+86-21-65985811
| | - Feng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji UniversityShanghai 200092China+86-21-65985811
| | - Zheng Shen
- National Facility Agriculture Engineering Technology Research Center, Institute of New Rural Development, Tongji UniversityShanghai 201804China+86-21-65985811
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Liu Z, Zhao J, Lu K, Wang Z, Yin L, Zheng H, Wang X, Mao L, Xing B. Biodegradation of Graphene Oxide by Insects ( Tenebrio molitor Larvae): Role of the Gut Microbiome and Enzymes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:16737-16747. [PMID: 36379022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradation of graphene materials is critical for understanding their environmental process and fate. Thus, biodegradation and mineralization of graphene oxide (GO) by an insect (yellow mealworms, Tenebrio molitor larvae) were investigated. Twenty mealworms could eat up a piece of GO film (1.5 × 1.5 cm) in 15 days. The ingested GO film underwent degradation, and the residual GO sheets were observed in the frass. Raman imaging confirmed that the residual GO (ID/IG, 1.16) was more defective than the pristine GO film (ID/IG, 0.95). 14C analysis showed that GO sheets were partially mineralized into CO2 (0.26%) and assimilated into biomass compositions (e.g., lipid and protein) (0.36%). Gut microbes and extracellular enzymes in yellow mealworms played crucial roles in GO degradation, and the predominant gut microbes for GO biodegradation were identified as Enterobacteriaceae bacteria (e.g., Escherichia-Shigella sp.). Two biodegradation products belonging to hydroxylated or carboxylated aromatic compounds were formed with the assistance of electrons and hydroxyl radicals in mealworm guts. These findings are useful for better understanding the environmental and biological fate of graphene materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuomiao Liu
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Jian Zhao
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
- Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Kun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, and School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Liyun Yin
- College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, and Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Liang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
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Peng BY, Sun Y, Xiao S, Chen J, Zhou X, Wu WM, Zhang Y. Influence of Polymer Size on Polystyrene Biodegradation in Mealworms ( Tenebrio molitor): Responses of Depolymerization Pattern, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolome to Polymers with Low to Ultrahigh Molecular Weight. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:17310-17320. [PMID: 36350780 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradation of polystyrene (PS) in mealworms (Tenebrio molitor lavae) has been identified with commercial PS foams. However, there is currently limited understanding of the influence of molecular weight (MW) on insect-mediated plastic biodegradation and the corresponding responses of mealworms. In this study, we provided the results of PS biodegradation, gut microbiome, and metabolome by feeding mealworms with high-purity PS microplastics with a wide variety of MW. Over 24 days, mealworms (50 individuals) fed with 0.20 g of PS showed decreasing removal of 74.1 ± 1.7, 64.1 ± 1.6, 64.4 ± 4.0, 73.5 ± 0.9, 60.6 ± 2.6, and 39.7 ± 4.3% for PS polymers with respective weight-average molecular weights (Mw) of 6.70, 29.17, 88.63, 192.9, 612.2, and 1346 kDa. The mealworms degraded most PS polymers via broad depolymerization but ultrahigh-MW PS via limited-extent depolymerization. The gut microbiome was strongly associated with biodegradation, but that with low- and medium-MW PS was significantly distinct from that with ultrahigh-MW PS. Metabolomic analysis indicated that PS biodegradation reprogrammed the metabolome and caused intestinal dysbiosis depending on MW. Our findings demonstrate that mealworms alter their gut microbiome and intestinal metabolic pathways in response to in vivo biodegradation of PS polymers of various MWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shaoze Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiabin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xuefei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States
| | - Yalei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
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Wang S, Jiang J, Gu M, Song Y, Zhao J, Shen Z, Zhou X, Zhang Y. Glucose Hydrogenolysis into 1,2-Propanediol Using a Pt/deAl@Mg(OH) 2 Catalyst: Expanding the Application of a Core-Shell Structured Catalyst. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:3771. [PMID: 36364546 PMCID: PMC9657227 DOI: 10.3390/nano12213771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
To substitute fossil resources, it is necessary to investigate the conversion of biomass into 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) as a high-value-added chemical. The Pt/deAl-Beta@Mg(OH)2 catalytic system is designed to obtain a higher 1,2-PDO production yield. The optimal yield of 1,2-PDO is 34.1%. The unique shell-core structure of the catalyst demonstrates stability, with a catalytic yield of over 30% after three times of use. The primary process path from glucose to 1,2-PDO, glucose-hexitol-1,2-PDO, is speculated by the experiments of intermediate product selectivity. The alkaline catalytic mechanism of the reaction process is elucidated by studying catalyst characterization and analyzing different time courses of products. The introduction of Mg(OH)2 improves the target yield by promoting the isomerization from glucose to fructose and retro-aldol condensation (RAC) conversion, with pseudo-yield increases of 76.1% and 42.1%, respectively. By studying the processes of producing lactic acid and 1,2-PDO from glucose, the glucose hydrogenolysis flow chart is improved, which is of great significance for accurately controlling 1,2-PDO production in industrial applications. The metal, acid, and alkali synergistic catalytic system constructed in this paper can provide a theoretical basis and route reference for applying biomass conversion technology in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jiang Zhao
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (Z.S.); Tel.: +86-21-6598-5811 (J.Z. & Z.S.)
| | - Zheng Shen
- Correspondence: (J.Z.); (Z.S.); Tel.: +86-21-6598-5811 (J.Z. & Z.S.)
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34
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Liu J, Liu J, Xu B, Xu A, Cao S, Wei R, Zhou J, Jiang M, Dong W. Biodegradation of polyether-polyurethane foam in yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and effects on the gut microbiome. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 304:135263. [PMID: 35697110 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) is one of the mass-produced recalcitrant plastics with a high environmental resistance but extremely low biodegradability. Therefore, improperly disposed PU waste adds significantly to plastic pollution, which must be addressed immediately. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports on plastic biodegradation in insect larvae, especially those that can feed on polyethylene and polystyrene. This study revealed that yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae can chew and ingest polyether-PU foams efficiently, resulting in a significant mass loss of nearly 67% after 35 days at a similar survival rate compared to when fed on bran. However, polyether-PU fragments were found in the frass of T. molitor, indicating that polyether-PU biodegradation and bioconversion in intestinal tracts were not complete. The scission of ether and urethane bonds in the polyether-PU can be evidenced by comparing polymer fragments recovered from frass with the pristine ones using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Gel permeation chromatography suggested the release of low-molecular-weight oligomers as a result of the biodegradation, which also resulted in poor thermal stability of the polyether-PU foam as determined by thermogravimetric analysis. High-throughput sequencing of the gut microbiome revealed significant changes in the microbial community populations due to the polyether-PU diet, for example, an increase in the families Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcaceae, suggesting that these microorganisms may contribute to the polyether-PU biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Jingyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Bin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Anming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Shixiang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Ren Wei
- Junior Research Group Plastic Biodegradation, Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China.
| | - Min Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China
| | - Weiliang Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211800, PR China.
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Ruiz Barrionuevo JM, Martín E, Galindo Cardona A, Malizia A, Chalup A, de Cristóbal RE, Monmany Garzia AC. Consumption of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene materials by larvae of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae), impacts on their ontogeny. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:68132-68142. [PMID: 35532825 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20534-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), and expanded polystyrene (EXPS) are the most common plastics found in every home of the world, but only ~ 10% enter the recycling chains. Consequently, the study of plastic biodegradation by microorganisms and insects, such as the wax moths, has gained special interest. Galleria mellonella (L.) has been shown to consume single-layered polyethylene and polystyrene, though biological impacts of this consumption have been rarely reported. We evaluated the consumption of different plastics by G. mellonella larvae (L7, mean size: 25-30 mm) and its effect on larval duration, survival, and development. For this, we offered the larvae five diets: single-layered LDPE, EXPS, BOPP, triple-layered polyethylene (SB, for silo-bags), and a control with beeswax. We recorded the state and weight of the materials and the state of larvae until they reached the adult stage. Larvae consumed more PE (both LDPE and SB) and EXPS than BOPP; still, they were able to emerge as adults in all treatments. Larvae that consumed plastics turned into pupal stage faster than those that consumed beeswax, regardless of the type and amount of plastic consumed. This is the first report of wild G. mellonella larvae in Argentina consuming biaxially polypropylene and silo-bags.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana María Ruiz Barrionuevo
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), CC34, Ciudad Universitaria Horco Molle, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Eduardo Martín
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
- Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Alberto Galindo Cardona
- Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
- CCT Noa Sur, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Crisóstomo Alvarez 722, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Agustina Malizia
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), CC34, Ciudad Universitaria Horco Molle, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Adriana Chalup
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán), Miguel Lillo 205, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
- Fundación Miguel Lillo, Miguel Lillo 251, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Ricardo E de Cristóbal
- Instituto Superior de Investigaciones Biológicas (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Chacabuco 461, San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - A Carolina Monmany Garzia
- Instituto de Ecología Regional (Universidad Nacional de Tucumán - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), CC34, Ciudad Universitaria Horco Molle, Yerba Buena, Tucumán, Argentina.
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Wang Y, Luo L, Li X, Wang J, Wang H, Chen C, Guo H, Han T, Zhou A, Zhao X. Different plastics ingestion preferences and efficiencies of superworm (Zophobas atratus Fab.) and yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor Linn.) associated with distinct gut microbiome changes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155719. [PMID: 35526626 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Larvae of superworms (Zophobas atratus Fab.) and yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor Linn.) can survive on sole plastic diets. However, no side-by-side comparison of plastics degradation by both species is available yet. Here, superworms and yellow mealworms were fed with polystyrene (PS) or polyurethane (PU) foam plastics as sole diets for 35 days with bran as control. Superworms survived 100% on all diets but decreased weights were observed after 20 days with sole plastic diets. In contrast, yellow mealworms survived 84.67% or 62.67% with PS or PU diet, respectively, both plastics diet groups showed increased weights. Cumulative consumption of plastics by superworms were 49.24 mg-PS/larva and 26.23 mg-PU/larva, which were 18 and 11 folds of that of yellow mealworms, respectively. When converted into mg/g-larvae, superworms had a higher PS consumption rate but both species had similar PU consumption rates. Similar changes of the plastic chemical functional groups in frass indicated occurrences of oxidation and biodegradation of plastics in the guts of both species. Changes of gut microbial communities were found associated with plastics feedstocks and larvae species. The increased relative abundances of unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella, Enterococcus, Dysgonomonas and Sphingobacterium were strongly associated with PS diet in superworms, while Hafnia was strongly associated with PS diet in yellow mealworms. Enterococcus and Mangrovibacter were dominant in PU-fed superworm guts, while unclassified Enterobacteriaceae and Hafnia were strongly associated with PU feeding in yellow mealworms. The results demonstrated that different plastics ingestion preferences and efficiencies of both species were associated with distinct dominant microbiomes although similar changes of chemical groups in plastics were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Liping Luo
- 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
| | - Jiaming Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Hongxuan Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Hongqin Guo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Tianfang Han
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China
| | - Aifen Zhou
- Institute for Environmental Genomics, Department of Microbiology & Plant Biology, University of Oklahoma, Norman 73019, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China.
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Ainali NM, Kalaronis D, Evgenidou E, Kyzas GZ, Bobori DC, Kaloyianni M, Yang X, Bikiaris DN, Lambropoulou DA. Do poly(lactic acid) microplastics instigate a threat? A perception for their dynamic towards environmental pollution and toxicity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:155014. [PMID: 35381252 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fears concerning microplastics (MPs) environmental fate and persistence are progressively expanding on a global basis, with the emphasis given to manufacturing bioplastics for substituting petro-derived plastics extensively growing. Among them, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) holds a pioneering role towards the replacement of conventional polymeric materials, owing to its multifunctional properties, enclosing superior mechanical properties, low cost, renewability, great biocompatibility, transparency, and thermoplasticity launching many fields of application. Due to the wide applicability of PLA in several sectors of everyday life, its waste to be released into the environment is expected to follow a growing tendency during the upcoming years. Even though PLA is a biodegradable polyester, it actually degrades under specific composting environments, including a rich oxygen environment with high temperatures (58-80 °C), high humidity (>60% moisture) as well as the presence of micro-organisms (thermophilic bacteria). Additionally, in various studies it has been implied that PLA displays slower degradation performance when found in blends with other conventional polymers, underlining the unspecified effects on PLA degradation profile, keeping thus the information about PLA degradation from a blur standpoint. Therefore, a deepened understanding of the fate and dynamic effects of PLA MPs is of primary importance. Nevertheless, the current examination of the effects of PLA MPs in terms of sorption capacities and toxicity is so far limited and broadly unexplored since the current scientific emphasis has been merely centered on the conventional MPs' behavior. In this light, the present review provides an inclusive overview of the ongoing research of poly(lactic acid) in the framework of microplastics' pollution, while the future trends and missing points in this context are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Maria Ainali
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Kalaronis
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Eleni Evgenidou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, GR-570 01 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Z Kyzas
- Department of Chemistry, International Hellenic University, GR-654 04 Kavala, Greece
| | - Dimitra C Bobori
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Martha Kaloyianni
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Xin Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Dimitrios N Bikiaris
- Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra A Lambropoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24 Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, GR-570 01 Thessaloniki, Greece.
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38
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Przemieniecki SW, Kosewska A, Kosewska O, Purwin C, Lipiński K, Ciesielski S. Polyethylene, polystyrene and lignocellulose wastes as mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) diets and their impact on the breeding condition, biometric parameters, metabolism, and digestive microbiome. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 832:154758. [PMID: 35339543 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify the extent to which a diet of oatmeal and polymers affects the development of mealworms, their microbiome, the biochemical activity of their digestive system, and their feed-metabolizing capacity. With a polystyrene diet, feed loss was most significant, as indicated by FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) of frass, which showed that polystyrene was the only compound that was chemically modified. Compared to the control diet, mealworm larvae developed best on polyethylene regranulate (PE-reg), quickly transiting from one developmental stage to another with minor mass loss. A lignocellulose-based diet was the least beneficial for mealworm development. A polystyrene diet was most beneficial in terms of the protein content in larvae, but the contents and quality (usefulness as food) of fatty acids in the insects fed these wastes were significantly lower than in the control insects. For each diet, specific microbial cultures formed, and the presence of protozoa and various biochemical activities suggested different survival strategies and assimilation mechanisms facilitating survival. Despite profound changes in the microbiota and biochemistry of the digestive tract of mealworms fed waste-based diets, this study indicates their potential for utilizing PE-reg and polystyrene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Wojciech Przemieniecki
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Prawocheńskiego 17, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Kosewska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Prawocheńskiego 17, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Olga Kosewska
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Entomology, Phytopathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Prawocheńskiego 17, 10-720 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Cezary Purwin
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Lipiński
- Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 5, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Sławomir Ciesielski
- University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Słoneczna 45G, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
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39
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Chen Z, Liu X, Wei W, Chen H, Ni BJ. Removal of microplastics and nanoplastics from urban waters: Separation and degradation. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 221:118820. [PMID: 35841788 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The omnipresent micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) in urban waters arouse great public concern. To build a MP/NP-free urban water system, enormous efforts have been made to meet this goal via separating and degrading MPs/NPs in urban waters. Herein, we comprehensively review the recent developments in the separation and degradation of MPs/NPs in urban waters. Efficient MP/NP separation techniques, such as adsorption, coagulation/flocculation, flotation, filtration, and magnetic separation are first summarized. The influence of functional materials/reagents, properties of MPs/NPs, and aquatic chemistry on the separation efficiency is analyzed. Then, MP/NP degradation methods, including electrochemical degradation, advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), photodegradation, photocatalytic degradation, and biological degradation are detailed. Also, the effects of critical functional materials/organisms and operational parameters on degradation performance are discussed. At last, the current challenges and prospects in the separation, degradation, and further upcycling of MPs/NPs in urban waters are outlined. This review will potentially guide the development of next-generation technologies for MP/NP pollution control in urban waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Chen
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Wei Wei
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Hong Chen
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Interfacial Science and Engineering of Materials (SKLISEM), School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia.
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40
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Dąbrowska A. The first evidence of the Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) interaction with the silicone moulds. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134451. [PMID: 35364077 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134451] [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: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella, Lepidoptera) is a common insect species and well-known, widespread kitchen pest. This paper reports the results of their interaction with silicone baking moulds and the evidence for synthetic material decomposition. The obtained fibres exhibited a high level of purification and were characterized by Raman spectroscopy. The reported interaction should be further studied from the biological perspective, as it can be crucial for the remediation of silicones or other synthetic polymers in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Dąbrowska
- University of Warsaw, Faculty of Chemistry, Laboratory of Spectroscopy of Intermolecular Interactions, Pasteura 1, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland; University of Warsaw Biological and Chemical Research Centre, Żwirki i Wigury 101 st., 02-089, Warsaw, Poland.
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41
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Yang SS, Ding MQ, Ren XR, Zhang ZR, Li MX, Zhang LL, Pang JW, Chen CX, Zhao L, Xing DF, Ren NQ, Ding J, Wu WM. Impacts of physical-chemical property of polyethylene on depolymerization and biodegradation in yellow and dark mealworms with high purity microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154458. [PMID: 35278547 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Yellow and dark mealworms (Tenebrio molitor and Tenebrio obscurus) biodegrade commercial polyethylene (PE) materials at a high rate. We examined the impact of physical and chemical properties on biodegradation using high purity microplastics (MPs). These included high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), all with different weight average molecular weights (Mw) and different crystallinity degrees in T. molitor and T. obscurus larvae. The biodegradation extent in the two mealworms was similar but strongly depended on the polymer type in sequence, since LDPE > LLDPE> HDPE (with respective Mw of 222.5, 110.5 and 182 kDa). When LDPE MPs with Mw of 0.84, 6.4 and 106.8 kDa and HDPE with Mw of 52, 105 and 132.7 kDa were tested, the PE MPs with lower Mw showed a greater extent of depolymerization. The results of dominance analysis indicated that less branching structure and higher crystallinity degree negatively impacted depolymerization and biodegradation. Py-GC/MS analysis confirmed the breaking of the macromolecule backbone as well as the formation of oxidized functional groups after all the tested PE materials passed through the mealworm intestine. The results demonstrated that molecular weight, PE type, branching, and crystallinity degree significantly affect the biodegradation capability of PE by the mealworms, and possibly by other biological systems as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Meng-Qi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xin-Ran Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Zhi-Rong Zhang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Mei-Xi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Li-Li Zhang
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Ji-Wei Pang
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, Beijing 100089, China
| | - Cheng-Xin Chen
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Jie Ding
- 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, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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42
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Carboué Q, Fadlallah S, Lopez M, Allais F. Progress in degradation behavior of most common types of functionalized polymers: a review. Macromol Rapid Commun 2022; 43:e2200254. [DOI: 10.1002/marc.202200254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Quentin Carboué
- URD Agro‐Biotechnologies Industrielles (ABI) CEBB AgroParisTech Pomacle 51110 France
| | - Sami Fadlallah
- URD Agro‐Biotechnologies Industrielles (ABI) CEBB AgroParisTech Pomacle 51110 France
| | - Michel Lopez
- URD Agro‐Biotechnologies Industrielles (ABI) CEBB AgroParisTech Pomacle 51110 France
| | - Florent Allais
- URD Agro‐Biotechnologies Industrielles (ABI) CEBB AgroParisTech Pomacle 51110 France
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43
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Palmer KJ, Lauder K, Christopher K, Guerra F, Welch R, Bertuccio AJ. Biodegradation of Expanded Polystyrene by Larval and Adult Stages of Tenebrio molitor with Varying Substrates and Beddings. ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES 2022. [PMCID: PMC8758922 DOI: 10.1007/s40710-021-00556-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Palmer
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Kerri Lauder
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Kyeshaun Christopher
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Fatima Guerra
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Rebecca Welch
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
| | - Alex J. Bertuccio
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 98 Brett Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 USA
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44
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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: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [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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45
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Zhong Z, Nong W, Xie Y, Hui JHL, Chu LM. Long-term effect of plastic feeding on growth and transcriptomic response of mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.). CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 287:132063. [PMID: 34523442 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste has been considered a serious global environmental problem for decades. Despite the high recalcitrance of synthetic plastics, the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by some insect larvae has been reported; however, the mechanism of degradation remains largely unknown. We investigated the effects of plastics on the growth of mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio molitor) and their role in PS and PE degradation. Mealworms were capable of ingesting high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), expanded polystyrene (EPS) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) but not linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) or polypropylene (PP). Plastic consumption was negatively dependent on plastic crystallinity. Transcriptome analysis and KEGG mapping revealed that mealworms act as downstream decomposers in plastic depolymerization and that fatty acid degradation pathways may play important roles in the digestion of plastic degradation intermediates produced by gut bacteria. In addition, PS and PE degradation was achieved via the diffusion of extracellular depolymerases, which probably acted on the distal backbone and produce shorter linear chains that containing ≤16 C atoms instead of branched chains. Additionally, the intermediates of PS degradation are expected to be further decomposed by mealworms as xenobiotics. This study provided a preliminary understanding of plastic degradation mechanism by mealworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhong
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wenyan Nong
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yichun Xie
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jerome Ho Lam Hui
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lee Man Chu
- School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Sangiorgio P, Verardi A, Dimatteo S, Spagnoletta A, Moliterni S, Errico S. Tenebrio molitor in the circular economy: a novel approach for plastic valorisation and PHA biological recovery. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:52689-52701. [PMID: 34453255 PMCID: PMC8476375 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15944-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The increase in the world population leads to rising demand and consumption of plastic raw materials; only a small percentage of plastics is recovered and recycled, increasing the quantity of waste released into the environment and losing its economic value. The plastics represent a great opportunity in the circular perspective of their reuse and recycling. Research is moving, on the one hand, to implement sustainable systems for plastic waste management and on the other to find new non-fossil-based plastics such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In this review, we focus our attention on Tenebrio molitor (TM) as a valuable solution for plastic biodegradation and biological recovery of new biopolymers (e.g. PHA) from plastic-producing microorganisms, exploiting its highly diversified gut microbiota. TM's use for plastic pollution management is controversial. However, TM microbiota is recognised as a source of plastic-degrading microorganisms. TM-based plastic degradation is improved by co-feeding with food loss and waste as a dietary energy source, thus valorising these low-value substrates in a circular economy perspective. TM as a bioreactor is a valid alternative to traditional PHA recovery systems with the advantage of obtaining, in addition to highly pure PHA, protein biomass and rearing waste from which to produce fertilisers, chitin/chitosan, biochar and biodiesel. Finally, we describe the critical aspects of these TM-based approaches, mainly related to TM mass production, eventual food safety problems, possible release of microplastics and lack of dedicated legislation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Sangiorgio
- ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Trisaia Research Centre, S.S. 106 Jonica, km 419,500, 75026, Rotondella, MT, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Verardi
- ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Trisaia Research Centre, S.S. 106 Jonica, km 419,500, 75026, Rotondella, MT, Italy
| | - Salvatore Dimatteo
- ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Trisaia Research Centre, S.S. 106 Jonica, km 419,500, 75026, Rotondella, MT, Italy
| | - Anna Spagnoletta
- ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Trisaia Research Centre, S.S. 106 Jonica, km 419,500, 75026, Rotondella, MT, Italy
| | - Stefania Moliterni
- ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Trisaia Research Centre, S.S. 106 Jonica, km 419,500, 75026, Rotondella, MT, Italy
| | - Simona Errico
- ENEA Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, Trisaia Research Centre, S.S. 106 Jonica, km 419,500, 75026, Rotondella, MT, Italy
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47
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Yang SS, Ding MQ, Zhang ZR, Ding J, Bai SW, Cao GL, Zhao L, Pang JW, Xing DF, Ren NQ, Wu WM. Confirmation of biodegradation of low-density polyethylene in dark- versus yellow- mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio obscurus versus Tenebrio molitor) via. gut microbe-independent depolymerization. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 789:147915. [PMID: 34049145 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Tenebrio obscurus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) larvae are capable of biodegrading polystyrene (PS) but their capacity for polyethylene (PE) degradation and pattern of depolymerization remains unknown. This study fed the larvae of T. obscurus and Tenebrio molitor, which have PE degrading capacity, two commercial low-density PE (LDPE) foams i.e., PE-1 and PE-2, with respective number-average molecular weights (Mn) of 28.9 and 27.3 kDa and weight-average molecular weights (Mw) of 342.0 and 264.1 kDa, over a 36-day period at ambient temperature. The Mw of residual PE in frass (excrement) of T. obscurus, fed with PE-1 and PE-2, decreased by 45.4 ± 0.4% and 34.8 ± 0.3%, respectively, while the respective decrease in frass of T. molitor was 43.3 ± 0.5% and 31.7 ± 0.5%. Data analysis showed that low molecular weight PE (<5.0 kDa) was rapidly digested while longer chain portions (>10.0 kDa) were broken down or cleaved, indicating a broad depolymerization pattern. Mass balance analysis indicated nearly 40% of ingested LDPE was digested to CO2. Antibiotic suppression of gut microbes in T. molitor and T. obscurus larvae with gentamicin obviously reduced their gut microbes on day 15 but did not stop depolymerization because the Mn, Mw and size- average molecular weight (Mz) decreased. This confirmed that LDPE biodegradation in T. obscurus was independent of gut microbes as observed during previous PS degradation in T. molitor, suggesting that the intestinal digestive system could perform LDPE depolymerization. High-throughput sequencing revealed significant shifts in the gut microbial community during bran-fed and unfed conditions in response to LDPE feeding in both Tenebrio species. The respective predominant gut genera of Spiroplasma sp. and Enterococcus sp. were observed in LDPE-fed T. molitor and T. obscurus larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Meng-Qi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Zhi-Rong Zhang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Jie Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shun-Wen Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Guang-Li Cao
- 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
| | - Ji-Wei Pang
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group, Beijing 100089, 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, Department of Chemistry, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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48
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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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Lou Y, Li Y, Lu B, Liu Q, Yang SS, Liu B, Ren N, Wu WM, Xing D. Response of the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) gut microbiome to diet shifts during polystyrene and polyethylene biodegradation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:126222. [PMID: 34492977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic biodegradation by mealworm is regarded as an emerging strategy for plastic disposal. In this study, the polystyrene (PS) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) degradation efficiency by yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae) supplemented with bran and the effects of plastics on the gut core microbiome were explored to construct a circular and continuous reactor for plastic biodegradation in the future. The gut microbiome was also investigated with dietary shift to explore the relationship between specific diets and gut microbes. The bran plus plastic (7:1 ratio, w/w) co-diet contributed to the mealworm survival and growth. The formation of -C˭O-/-C-O- groups in the plastic-fed mealworms frass represented the oxidation process of plastic biodegradation in the mealworm gut. The changes in molecular weights (Mw, Mn and Mz) of residual PS and LDPE in mealworms frass compared with that of PS and PE feedstock confirmed the plastic depolymerization and biodegradation. Lactobacillus and Mucispirillum were significantly associated with PE + bran diet compared to bran diet and PE diet, representing the response of mealworm gut microbiome to the bran and plastic mixture was distinguished from either bran or plastics alone. The gut microbiome changed substantially with the diet shift, indicating that microbial community assembly was a stochastic process and diverse plastic-degrading bacteria might occur in the mealworm gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Lou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Yiran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; 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
| | - Baiyun Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- 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
| | - Bingfeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Nanqi 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, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA
| | - Defeng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
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