Packing material, disposable cutlery, CD cases: Polystyrene is among the most common forms of plastic, but recycling it isn't easy and the vast majority ends up in landfills or finds its way to the oceans where it threatens marine life.
darkling beetles – are eager to dine on the substance, and their gut enzymes could hold the key to higher recycling rates.on Thursday, told AFP previous reports had shown that tiny waxworms and mealworms had a good track record when it came to eating plastic,"so we hypothesized that the much larger superworms can eat even more."
Rinke and his team fed superworms different diets over a three week period, with some given polystyrene foam, commonly known as styrofoam, some bran, and others not fed at all. These findings suggested that while the bugs can survive on polystyrene, it is not a nutritious diet and impacts their health.
"This could be a way to improve the health of the worms and to deal with the large amount of food waste in Western countries," said Rinke.But while breeding more worms for this purpose is possible, he envisages another route: creating recycling plants that mimic what the larvae do, which is to first shred the plastic in their mouths then digest it through bacterial enzymes.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Missing baby found alive more than 40 years after parents found killed in woodsA baby girl who went missing in 1981 after her parents were found dead in a wooded area of Houston, Texas has been located alive and well, according to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
Consulte Mais informação »
Researchers say they've found the chemistry that gave rise to life on EarthResearchers believe they've found the chemical process that gave rise to RNA, and not only is it remarkably simple, it could have happened on Mars, too.
Consulte Mais informação »
Todd and Julie Chrisley Found Guilty on Federal ChargesTodd and Julie Chrisley, stars of the reality television show “Chrisley Knows Best,” have been found guilty in Atlanta on federal charges including bank fraud and tax evasion. The Chrisleys were initially indicted in August 2019, and the trial began three weeks ago. The U.S. attorney’s office in Atlanta said a jury found the pair guilty of all charges Tuesday. Prosecutors say the stars of “Chrisley Knows Best” submitted false documents to banks to get loans and failed to pay federal income taxes for multiple years. An accountant who worked for them also was found guilty. Sentencing for all three is set for Oct. 6.
Consulte Mais informação »
Missing boy found after surviving 2 days alone in cold, Montana wildernessRyker Webb was found Sunday unharmed but “hungry, thirsty and cold” after a two-day search.
Consulte Mais informação »
‘General Hospital’ Stars’ Son Found Dead in Parking LotNo cause of death for Harrison Wagner was given in a medical examiner’s report.
Consulte Mais informação »
Man found on property, taken into custody after hours-long standoff in Clay County, deputies sayA felony arrest attempt led to an hours-long SWAT standoff in Clay County that ended when the man was found on the property and taken into custody, deputies said.
Consulte Mais informação »