Biomechanical Recycling of Plastic Waste Using Tenebrio Molitor Larvae

Abstract

Insect larvae eat plastics and can take part in biomechanical recycling, breaking down polymers in their intestinal tract. The objective of the research was to biodegrade waste vinyl (PVC) gloves for domestic use using Tenebrio molitor larvae. For this, the mass of plastic waste was recorded on days 5, 10, 15, 22 and 28 of December 2022. The larvae were measured at the beginning and at the end of the trial and its excrements too. After excrement was analyzed by FTIR. Likewise, the most dominant bacteria were isolated from the intestines of the larvae that ate the plastic waste. The results indicated a utilization rate of 12% of the PCV, a rate of specific consumption of PVC equal to 2.41 mg/larva.day. The introduction of oxygen as a consequence of oxidation and associated granmegative bacteria in the larvae's intestines were also identified in the excreta of the larvae. Se ha development the biodegrading of vinyl glove residues that can be considered a biotechnological and ecological solutions to the challenge of plastic waste.