A Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Investigation on Faecal Matter of Galleria mellonella Larvae fed with Beeswax and Low-Density Polyethylene

Abstract

The growing production and consumption of plastics, coupled with their poor recyclability and non-degradability, pose significant environmental risks. Insects including the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) have been identified as capable of ingesting and degrading plastics through microorganisms in their gut, thereby reducing the environmental impact. The insect that's accountable for degrading down low-density polyethylene has been depicted. The purpose of this study was to analyse the faeces of G. mellonella larvae in order to determine the chemical makeup of their digested products. The chemical structures and functional groups of the faecal matter of G. mellonella larvae fed on LDPE and beeswax were evaluated using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The findings shed light on the potential role that G. mellonella larvae may play in the decomposition of plastic by identifying unique patterns in the chemical makeup of the faecal matter of larvae fed LDPE.