01 Oca 2026 Perşembe
Biodegradation of plastic wastes by Coleoptera and Lepidoptera larvae: A comprehensive review
Abstract : Plastics, which provide numerous benefits in many areas, accumulate in different ecosystems due to the long time it takes for them to decompose. Increasing plastic accumulation poses serious risks to organisms in ecosystems. Addressing this problem is of critical importance. The inadequacy of traditional methods used in plastic waste management has led scientists to find different alternatives to address this problem. At this point, the idea of biodegradation of plastics has come to the fore as an effective and sustainable innovation against plastic pollution. Insects are drawing attention as an environmentally friendly, cheap, effective, safe, and sustainable alternative to the biodegradation of plastics. Insects can degrade plastic polymers and convert them into monomers thanks to their intestinal microorganisms and enzymes. The degradation of plastics, which occurs very slowly in natural environments, is completed in a much shorter time by insects, which makes insects popular in this regard. This review comprehensively examines the ability of insect species from the orders Coleoptera and Lepidoptera to degrade different types of plastics. The discovery of insects from different orders and microorganisms isolated from these insects will be of critical importance for future research.