Africa is facing increasing plastic pollution , but researchers at the Kenya-based International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) have discovered an innovative solution: the lesser mealworm . This insect, a darkling beetle larva native to Africa, has shown a unique ability to consume plastic, specifically polystyrene, one of the most problematic plastics in terms of waste accumulation.
A promising discovery for bioremediation
The African worm, scientifically known as Alphitobius, is not unknown in the world of biodegradation. Although the larvae of other beetles, such as Tenebrio molitor, have also been used for plastic degradation, what is new in this study is that it has been shown that the smaller species, native to the African continent, can efficiently break down plastic material .
According to researchers, these worms consume up to 50% of expanded polystyrene (commonly known as styrofoam), a material that is difficult to recycle and contains toxic compounds that seriously affect the environment.
Mealworm: An ally in natural degradation
The key behind this bioremediation process lies in the bacteria present in the plastic worm’s gut. These bacteria, which help in the digestion of polystyrene, could represent a crucial breakthrough in cleaning up contaminated ecosystems. Scientists are studying whether these bacteria are part of the worm’s natural gut flora or whether they are acquired by feeding on plastics.
This discovery opens the door to using lesser mealworms in a circular economy, where the environment could be cleaned up and plastics could be turned into safer and more useful products.
Tackling global pollution with natural solutions
With more than 400 million tons of plastic produced annually globally and less than 10% recycled, the African worm could be a key tool in the fight against plastic pollution . Especially in Africa, which although it produces only 5% of the world’s plastic, is facing a growing accumulation of plastic waste, becoming the second most polluted continent.
The ICIPE study provides new hope for waste management in affected regions, opening up the possibility of using edible insects as part of a broader strategy to reduce the environmental impact of plastic solid waste.
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Source and photos: International Center for Insect Physiology and Ecology
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