First report on biodegradation of low density polyethylene by rice moth larvae, Corcyra cephalonica (stainton)

Sheetal Suresh Kesti,Shivasharana Chandrabanda Thimmappa

doi:10.33765/thate.9.4.2

Sheetal Suresh Kesti, Shivasharana Chandrabanda Thimmappa

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33765/thate.9.4.2

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Journal: The holistic approach to environment	Publication Date: Dec 7, 2019
Citations: 15	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Karnatak University

Abstract

Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton), rice moth larvae were used for biodegradation of low density polyethylene (LDPE). The role of larval gut microorganisms in LDPE biodegradation was studied by force feeding the larvae with a cocktail of antibiotic solution. After force feeding, the larvae were left in contact with LDPE films. Larvae which were unfed with antibiotic solution were used as controls. Degradation rate was checked by measuring the weight loss after 20 day period of contact with LDPE films in insect rearing bottles. The DNA of both antibiotic fed and unfed larvae was isolated. There was no DNA band of antibiotic fed larvae which indicated the gut microorganisms were eliminated. Larvae fed with antibiotic digested 21 % and those which were unfed with antibiotic showed 25 % weight loss of LDPE films. We report the gut microorganisms were not solely responsible for biodegradation of LDPE. The digestive enzymes could also play a major role in digesting the plastic in insect’s gut.

Highlights

The rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) is a stored grain pest distributed all over Asia, Africa, Europe and North America [1]
The larvae force fed with antibiotic solution to eliminate the gut microorganisms showed 21 % of weight loss and the larvae which were not fed with antibiotic solution showed 25 %
The aim of this study was to identify the role of gut microorganisms of Corcyra cephalonica larvae in low density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation in their guts

Summary

Introduction

The rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton) is a stored grain pest distributed all over Asia, Africa, Europe and North America [1]. It is a serious pest of rice and feeds on other grains such as wheat, maize, groundnut, sorghum and millets [2]. Biodegradation of plastics by free living microorganisms have been reported till but the efficiency of degradation was very low compared to the degradation rate by using insects and their gut microorganisms [4]. Biodegradation of plastics by using Indian meal worms, Plodia interpunctella was first reported by Yang et al (2014).

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