Biodegradation of expanded polyethylene using larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Abstract

Expanded polyethylene is considered durable, difficult to recycle and resistant to biodegradation, and can reach 150 years when disposed of in the environment. The larvae of a beetle popularly known as the meal bug, Tenebrio molitor, by means of the bacteria present in its intestine, biodegrade these polluting materials and are a good tool to accelerate the degradation process, so the objective was to evaluate the degradation capacity of polyethylene with color variations by T. molitor larvae. The consumption of polyethylene by the larvae was evaluated with the difference of the initial and final weight of five colors of bags and two of disposable cups. The data were subjected to analysis of variance and when significant, they were compared using the Tukey means test at 5% probability. The responses of the consumption of plastics by T. molitor larvae indicate that the percentage of consumption varies according to the color of the plastic, with a higher percentage for cold colors. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that T. molitor species have a positive result in the biodegradation of plastics. Polyethylene materials with cold runners can easily biodegrade compared to other runners.