Degradation of agricultural polyethylene film by greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae and screening of involved gut bacteria

Agricultural polyethylene (PE) mulch films persist in ecosystems, demanding efficient biodegradation. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae to feed on plastic bags and foams. However, limited characterization of efficient PE-degrading strains from their gut microbiota, combined with insufficient mechanistic insights into host-microbe synergy, has hindered progress. This study demonstrates that Galleria mellonella larvae can effectively degrade PE mulch films through physical chewing, microbial action, and gut metabolism. Feeding by Galleria mellonella resulted in a 35 % weight loss of PE mulch films within 30 days; FT-IR, TGA, and GPC analyses confirmed…

• ZP
  Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Wood Science and Technology

  Award: 2022C02029