Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.
Polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam, is a plastic material that’s widely used in food, electronic and industrial packaging. It’s difficult to break down and therefore durable.
The guts of polystyrene-fed larvae were found to contain higher levels of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, bacteria that can adapt to various environments and break down a wide range of complex substances. Bacteria such as Kluyvera, Lactococcus, Citrobacter and Klebsiella were also particularly abundant and are known to produce enzymes capable of digesting synthetic plastics.
Species |
Lesser mealworm (larval form of the Alphitobius darkling beetle) |
Larval Period |
Lasts between 8 to 10 weeks |
Habitat |
Predominantly found in poultry rearing houses due to warm conditions and a constant food supply |
Distribution |
Believed to have originated in Africa but now found in many countries worldwide |
Unique Ability |
Capable of consuming polystyrene |
Plastic Degradation |
Gut bacteria in mealworms produce enzymes that break down complex polymers in plastic |
Gut microbiota, gut microbiome, or gut flora are the microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that live in the digestive tracts of animals. The gastrointestinal metagenome is the aggregate of all the genomes of the gut microbiota.
The gut microbiota has broad impacts, including effects on colonization, resistance to pathogens, maintaining the intestinal epithelium, metabolizing dietary and pharmaceutical compounds, controlling immune function, and even behavior through the gut–brain axis.
Source:
PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Consider the following statements regarding mealworm larvae:
Which of the above statements is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 1 and 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2, and 3 Answer: a Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct: Mealworm larvae are indeed the larvae of the darkling beetle, and they are gaining popularity as a sustainable source of protein for both human consumption and animal feed. Statement 3 is incorrect: Mealworms are not typically found in aquatic environments, nor are they known for filtering pollutants from water. |
© 2024 iasgyan. All right reserved