Mealworms can eat styrofoam without being poisoned
- 4 years ago
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA — Scientists say that plastic eating mealworms maybe even more useful than previously thought.
Previous Stanford studies determined that mealworms' guts contain microbes that allow them to digest styrofoam."
New research published in Environmental Science & Technology has found that mealworms can potentially consume toxic plastic additives in Styrofoam without any ill effects. These worms can then be used as a safe feed supplement.
According to the university's news release, HBCD is a chemical added to styrofoam and other polymers as a flame retardant, but the substance is toxic.
Mealworms in the experiment were able to excrete 90 percent of the HBCD they ingested 24 hours after eating the plastic and expel the remaining 10 percent within 48 hours.
This means the mealworms are uncontaminated even if they substituted on styrofoam.
Stanford University says that the results have significant implications, as the worms are used as feed for various livestock, including chickens.
The experiment suggests worms used to consume plastic could still be used as a source of agricultural feed.
Previous Stanford studies determined that mealworms' guts contain microbes that allow them to digest styrofoam."
New research published in Environmental Science & Technology has found that mealworms can potentially consume toxic plastic additives in Styrofoam without any ill effects. These worms can then be used as a safe feed supplement.
According to the university's news release, HBCD is a chemical added to styrofoam and other polymers as a flame retardant, but the substance is toxic.
Mealworms in the experiment were able to excrete 90 percent of the HBCD they ingested 24 hours after eating the plastic and expel the remaining 10 percent within 48 hours.
This means the mealworms are uncontaminated even if they substituted on styrofoam.
Stanford University says that the results have significant implications, as the worms are used as feed for various livestock, including chickens.
The experiment suggests worms used to consume plastic could still be used as a source of agricultural feed.