Harnessing insects mediated plastic biodegradation: Current insight and future directions

Plastic polymers pose a significant challenge due to their resistance to degradation, resulting in their persistent accumulation in the environment and exacerbating a critical environmental concern. Urgent innovation and novel management technologies are essential to tackle this issue. Plastic biodegradation, distinguished by its environmentally friendly and safe attributes, has garnered substantial attention as a viable solution. Insects are pivotal in this process, utilizing their gut microbes to facilitate plastic degradation. The enzymatic action within the digestive tracts of diverse insect hosts and their microbial symbionts contributes to the breakdown of these polymers. This comprehensive review delves into the current landscape and strategies aimed at combating plastic pollution, with a specific focus on the involvement of insects such as mealworms (Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus), superworms (Zophobas atratus Blanchard), greater wax moths (Galleria mellonella Linnaeus), and various other insect species in the degradation of plastics. This review explores the different insects involved in plastic degradation, the mechanisms by which insects degrade plastics and delineates the characteristics of resultant degradable products. Furthermore, it investigates the future potential for plastic degradation by insects and examines the prospective developmental pathways for degradable plastics. Ultimately, this review provides an array of solutions by using various insects to pervasive the issue of plastic pollution.