Polystyrene biodegradation using Zophobas morio

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the weight of Zophobas morio larvae and mass of polystyrene foam when the larvae were fed polystyrene for 27 days. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry was used to determine whether the polystyrene was broken down by the larvae. Forty Z. morio larvae (four replicates with 10 larvae per replicate) were reared in a chamber under controlled conditions with polystyrene foam blocks as their sole diet. The weight of the Z. morio larvae and mass of the polystyrene foam decreased as a function of time. The average weight of the larvae and mass of the polystyrene foam blocks decreased by 16.3 and 6.5%, respectively, over the 27-day period. The FTIR spectrum of Z. morio larvae fed with polystyrene foam did not reveal the unique peaks associated with polystyrene. In conclusion, this study suggests the possibility of using Z. morio larvae as a management technology for degrading waste plastics without a negative environmental effect.