Investigating the Role of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larval Gut Microbiota in Biodegradation of Plastic

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.