Abstract:
Plastic pollution is a significant global issue, with plastic waste taking hundreds of years to decompose
naturally. Current methods of degrading plastic are limited in efficiency and scalability. Recent research
suggests that the gut microbiota of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) larvae may offer a
sustainable solution for the plastic problem. This study investigates the comparative plastic degradation
capabilities of BSF larval gut microbiota versus soil microbiota. We analyzed the effect of plastic diets on
reshaping larval gut microbiota, evaluated the efficiency of the gut microbiome in degrading plastics, and
compared degradation rates with soil microbiota. Methods included gram staining and culture to examine
microbiota composition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to observe structural changes in
polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films, and Fourier Transform
Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional group changes indicative of degradation. Results
showed that plastic diets significantly altered the BSF larval gut microbiota, increasing the presence of
gram-positive cocci. SEM and FTIR analyses revealed substantial degradation of plastics by larval gut
microbiota compared to soil microbiota. The BSF larval gut microbiome shows significant potential for
breaking down plastics, presenting a promising solution for plastic waste management. This research
contributes to developing biotechnological applications for reducing plastic pollution sustainably.
