Jung Hyuni, Shin Giyoung, Park Sung Bae, Jegal Jonggeon, Park Seul-A, Park Jeyoung, Oh Dongyeop X, Kim Hyo Jeong
Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea.
Research Center for Bio-based Chemistry, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), Ulsan 44429, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Sogang University, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea.
Waste Manag. 2023 Oct 7;171:568-579. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.09.027.
Bioplastics offer a promising solution to plastic pollution, however, their production frequently relies on edible biomass, and their degradation rates remain inadequate. This study investigates the potential of superworms (Zophobas atratus larvae) for polybutylene succinate (PBS) waste management, aiming to achieve both resource recovery and biodegradation. Superworms exclusively fed on PBS for a month exhibited the same survival rate as those on a standard bran diet. PBS digestion yielded a 5.13% weight gain and a 23.23% increase in protein composition in superworms. Additionally, carbon isotope analyses substantiated the conversion of PBS into superworm components. Gut microbes capable of PBS biodegradation became progressively prominent, further augmenting the degradation rate of PBS under composting conditions (ISO 14855-1). Gut-free superworms fed with PBS exhibited antioxidant activities comparable to those of blueberries, renowned for their high antioxidant activity. Based on these findings, this study introduces a sustainable circular solution encompassing recycling PBS waste to generate insect biomass, employing insect gut and frass for PBS degradation and fertilizer, and harnessing insect residue as a food source. In essence, the significance of this research extends to socio-economic and environmental spheres, impacting waste management, resource efficiency, circular economy promotion, environmental preservation, industrial advancement, and global sustainability objectives. The study's outcomes possess the potential to reshape society's approach to plastic waste, facilitating a shift toward more sustainable paradigms.
生物塑料为塑料污染提供了一个有前景的解决方案，然而，它们的生产常常依赖于可食用生物质，且降解速度仍然不足。本研究调查了黄粉虫（Zophobas atratus幼虫）在聚丁二酸丁二醇酯（PBS）废物管理中的潜力，旨在实现资源回收和生物降解。仅以PBS为食一个月的黄粉虫存活率与以标准麸皮饲料喂养的黄粉虫相同。PBS消化使黄粉虫体重增加了5.13%，蛋白质组成增加了23.23%。此外，碳同位素分析证实了PBS向黄粉虫成分的转化。能够进行PBS生物降解的肠道微生物逐渐变得突出，进一步提高了堆肥条件下（ISO 14855-1）PBS的降解率。用PBS喂养的无肠道黄粉虫表现出与蓝莓相当的抗氧化活性，蓝莓以其高抗氧化活性而闻名。基于这些发现，本研究引入了一种可持续的循环解决方案，包括回收PBS废物以生产昆虫生物质，利用昆虫肠道和粪便进行PBS降解和施肥，并将昆虫残渣用作食物来源。从本质上讲，这项研究的意义延伸到社会经济和环境领域，影响废物管理、资源效率、促进循环经济、环境保护、产业发展和全球可持续发展目标。该研究结果有可能重塑社会处理塑料废物的方式，推动向更可持续模式的转变。
