Comparison study on low-density polyethylene film biodegradation potential of Achoria grisella and Galleria mellonella larvae

Aim: The current research investigates biodegradation of Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) facilitated with and without gut microbiota in Galleria mellonella and Achoria grisella. Methodology: antibiotics (WA group) were exposed to LDPE film. After biodegradation, the weight loss of degraded LDPE film, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis, and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy analysis were performed to confirm the plastic biodegradation potential of selected insects. A batch of 50 larvae of Galleria mellonella and Achoria grisella administered with antibiotics (A group) along with larvae not fed with Results: In a and WA groups, the post-biodegradation for a selected species of wax moth exhibited weight loss of 2.763%, 0.789%, 5.403% and 1.481%, respectively. The SEM images revealed that both A and WA groups were capable of LDPE film disintegration. The FTIR of biodegraded film confirmed the deterioration of LDPE by indicating a change in the typical peaks of C-H and H-C-H bonds that points out the biodegradation of polyethylene.Further, the thermogravimetric analysis showed a substantial mass loss in the LDPE flakes consumed by the insects, demonstrating a decline in the thermal stabilities of disintegrated polymers. GC-MS of frass validated the presence of many component groups, including alkanes, alcohols, esters, ethers and acids, which confirmed the biodegradation of LDPE. Interpretation: Wax worms possess the capacity to biodegrade LDPE, independent of gut microbiota