Gut Bacteria of Achroia grisella (Lesser Wax Moth) Larvae as Biological Agent for Polyethylene Degradation

Janice  D. De Leon,; Hester Gwen  Nodora,; Janyll Nicole  Rodriguez,; Ezekiel  Rosimo,; Arianne  Rufino,; Renzo Lou  Sadang,; Simona  Sakshi,; Errolyn Nerisse  Santos,; Sheila Marie  Santos,; Muskan  Sehgal,; Juan Miguel  Señado,; Prashant  Singh,; Anne Patricia  Sio,; Avegail  Tabarangao,; Meet  Virani,

Gut Bacteria of Achroia grisella (Lesser Wax Moth) Larvae as Biological Agent for Polyethylene Degradation

Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to determine if the gut bacteria of the A. grisella larvae is able to degrade high-density polyethylene, a type of plastic present in the silo-bags that these larvae are known to consume. Methods: This experimental study is a non-randomized controlled trial that evaluated the ability of the gut bacteria of A. grisella larvae to degrade high-density polyethylene. The study was conducted in the Graduate Pharmacy Laboratory of the Manila Central University - College of Arts and Sciences and the Medical Technology Laboratory of the Manila Central University – College of Medical Technology. Special send-out procedures were done in the University of the Philippines Los Baños Museum of Natural History. Forty pieces of 3 cm x 3 cm high-density polyethylene films were subjected to interventions in this study. Results: No significant differences were noted in the percent change in weight on days 7, 14, 21 and 25 (p>0.05). Although not statistically significant, a trend towards a higher percent change in weight was noted in the high-density polyethylene without bacteria compared to that of high-density polyethylene with bacteria. Conclusions: A higher increase in weight was consistently observed in the high-density polyethylene without bacteria compared to the high-density polyethylene with bacteria, indicating the possibility that biodegradation had indeed taken place, although not enough to incite an overall decrease in weight in the high-density polyethylene with bacteria.

References:

1. Nkwachukwu O, Chima C, Ikenna A,Albert L. Focus on potential environmental issues on plastic world towards a sustainable plastic recycling in developing countries. International Journal of Industrial Chemistry [Internet]. 2013 July [cited 2020 March 30]; 4(34): 1-13. Available from:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186%2F2228-5547-4-34 DOI:10.1186/2228-5547-4-34

2. Kundungal H, Gangarapu M,Sarangapani S, Pathchaiyappan A, Devipriya S. Efficient biodegradation of polyethylene(HDPE) waste by plastic-eating lesser waxworm (Achroia grisella). Environ Sci Pollut Res [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 March 30]. Available from:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-019-05038-9 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-05038-9

3. Chalup A, Ayup MM, Garzia ACM,Malizia A, Martin E, De Cristobal R,Galindo-Cardona A. First report of the lesser wax moth Achroia grisella F. (Lepidoptera:Pyralidae) consuming polyethylene (silo-bag)in northwestern Argentina. Journal of Apicultural Research [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 March 30];57(4):569-571. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325513922_First_report_of_the_lesser_wax_moth_Achroia_grisella_F_Lepidoptera_Pyralidae_consuming_polyethylene_silobag_in_northwestern_Argentina

DOI:10.1080/00218839.2018.1484614

4. Ellis J, Graham J, Mortenson A. Standard methods for wax moth research. Journal of Agriculture Research [Internet]. April 2015 [cited 2020 March 30]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272812280Standardmethodsformaxmothresearch DOI: 10.3896/IBRA.1.52.1.10

5. Brandon A, Gao S, Tian R, Ning D,Yang S, Zhou J, Wu W, Criddle C.“Biodegradation of polyethylene and plastic mixtures in mealworms (larvae of Tenerife molitor) and effects on the gut microbiome” Environ. Sci. Technol. [internet]. 2018 [cited2020 March 30]; 52(11). Available from:7 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325159663_Biodegradation_of_Polyethylene_and_Plastic_Mixtures_in_Mealworms_Larvae_of_Tenebrio_molitor_and_Effects_on_the_Gut_Microbiome DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b02301

6. Kong H, Kim H, Chung J, Park S, Bhak J, Ryu C. The Galleria mellonella hologenome supports microbiota-independent metabolism of long-chain hydrocarbonbeeswax. Cell Reports [Internet]. 2019 February [cited 2020 March 30]; 26(9):2451-2464. Available from: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247%2819%2930180-9 DOI:10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.018

7. Rizzi A, Borruso L, Jucker C, Lupi D, Colombo, M, Daffonchio D. Characterization of the bacterial community associated with larvae and adults of Anoplophora chinensis collected in Italy by culture and culture-independent methods. BioMed Research International [Internet] 2013 Aug 27 [cited 2020 March 30] available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24069601 DOI: 10.1155/2013/420287

8. Yang J, Wu W, Yang Y, Zhao J. “Evidence of polyethylene biodegradation by bacterial strains from the guts of plastic-eating waxworms” Environ. Sci. Technol. [Internet], 2014 [cited 2020 March 30]; 48, 13776-13784. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/268154348 DOI: 10.1021/es504038a

9. Sivan A, Szanto M, Pavlov V. Biofilm development of the polyethylene-degrading bacterium Rhodococcus ruber. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology [Internet] 2016 October [cited 2020 March 30]; 72:346–352 Available from:https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7243172_Biofilm_development_of_the_Polyethylene-degrading_bacterium_Rhodococcus_ruber DOI: 10.1007/s00253-005-0259-4

10. Kumar Gupta K, & Devi D. Biodegradation of Low Density Polyethylene by Selected Bacillus sp. GU J Sci. [Internet] 2019 March [cited 2020 March 30] 32(3): 802-813. Available from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/gujs/issue/48219/496392 DOI:org/10.35378/gujs.496392

11. Carraher CE. Introduction to Polymer Chemistry. 3rd ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press;2013.

12. Jordan EO. A Thermostabile Hemolytic Precipitate from Nutrient Broth. The Journal of Infectious Diseases [Internet] 03 June 1905 [cited2020 March 30];2(3) 511–513. Available from https://academic.oup.com/jid/article-abstract/2/3/511/831185?redirectedFrom=fulltex DOI:org/10.1093/infdis/2.3.511

13. Ren L, Men L, Zhang Z, Guan F, Tian J, Wang B, Wang J, Zhang Y, Zhang W. Biodegradation of polyethylene by Enterobacter sp. D1 from the guts of wax moth Galleria mellonella. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [Internet]. 2019 May [cited 2020 March 30]; 16(11): 1-11. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1660- 4601/16/11/1941 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16111941

14. Swapnil KK, Deshmukh AG, Dudhare MS, & Patil VB. Microbial degradation of plastic: a review. J Biochem Tech [Internet] 2015 [cited 2020 March 30] 6(2):952-961.available from https://jbiochemtech.com/storage/models/article/RLVOybv0ejQcKcpQrrJR8X6AaXOgj4YN8AcbTDS2FzqLBjMD84buciQL8J332/microbial-degradation-of-plastic-areview.pdf DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0071720.

15. Awasthi S, Srivastave P, Singh P, &Tiwary D. Biodegratation of thermally treated high density polyethylene (HDPE) by Klebsiella pneumoniae CH001. Biotech. [Internet] 2017 [cited 2020 March 30];7(5):332. Available from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28955629 DOI:10.1007/s13205-017-0959-3

16. Kale S, Deshmukh A, Dudhare M, and Patil V. “Microbial degradation of plastics: a review ”. J Biochem Tech [Internet]. 2015 [cited2020 March 30]; 6(2): 952-961.

Available from: https://jbiochemtech.com/storage/models/article/RLVOybv0ejQcKcpQrrJRX6AaXOgj4YN8AcbTDS2FzqLBjMD84buciQL8J332/microbial-degradation-of-plastic-a-review.pdf

DOI:10.17140/PHOJ-4-136

17. Nowack B, Pajak J, Bratkowics M, Rymarz G. “Microorganism participating in the biodegradation of modified polyethylene films in different soils under laboratory conditions” International biodeterioration & Biodegradation [internet]. 2011 [cited 2020 March 30]; 65(6): 757-767. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/251629527_Microorganisms_participating_in_the_biodegradation_of_modified_polyethylene_films_in_different_soils_under_laboratory_conditions

DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2011.04.00718. Bombelli P, Howe CJ, Bertocchini F. Polyethylene bio-degradation by caterpillars of the wax moth Galleria mellonella. Current Biology [Internet]. 2017 April [cited 2020 March 30]; 27(8): 292-293. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pi

i/S0960982217302312#cebib0010

DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.060

19. Khyade V. “Review on biodegradation of plastic through waxworm (Order: Lepidoptera; Family: Pyralidae)” International Academic Journal of Economics [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 March 30]; 5(4): 31-38. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337283711_Review_On_Biodegradation_of_Plastic_Through_Waxworm_Order_Lepidoptera_Family_Pyralidae

DOI:10.9756/IAJE/V5I1/1810008