Entomological assessment of synthetic polymer breakdown: Comparative study of PET, PU and nylon degradation by greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella)

AbstractRecent findings suggest that certain insect larvae, particularly those of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella), exhibit the potential to degrade plastic materials through enzymatic and microbial symbiosis. In this study, we conducted a comparative biodegradation assessment of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyurethane (PU), and nylon by G. mellonella larvae under controlled laboratory conditions. Quantitative measurements of mass loss, surface morphology (via SEM imaging), and chemical structure alterations were used to evaluate degradation efficiency over a 48 h period. The results revealed differential degradation capacities, with PU exhibiting the highest degradation rate, followed by PET and nylon. This entomological approach offers promising insights into biologically driven plastic waste management and contributes to the understanding of insect-mediated polymer degradation mechanisms. Application of G. mellonella as a bio-decomposer in mitigating synthetic plastic accumulation in terrestrial ecosystems look feasible.