A team of scientists at Mendel University in Brno is investigating how larvae of the darkling beetle species Zophobas morio are able to break down various types of plastics. The aim is to elucidate in detail the biodegradation mechanisms of the larvae at the molecular level and to understand the role of enzymes and other proteins involved in the process. Understanding these principles may contribute to the development of biotechnological processes for decomposing plastics that could be more environmentally friendly, safer, and potentially scalable.

The research team is focusing on the biodegradation of plastics as one possible approach to solving the global problem of plastic waste. Plastic production exceeds 400 million tons annually, with only a small fraction being recycled. “Most plastics end up in landfills, incinerators, or escape into the environment, where they pose a long-term threat to ecosystems and food chains. That is why we are investigating how Zophobas morio larvae can break down different types of plastics. The findings could lay a solid foundation for the development of new, environmentally friendly, and biologically oriented plastic recycling technologies,” explains Tomáš Do from the Institute of Chemistry and Biochemistry, who is involved in the research.

The larvae of the darkling beetle species Zophobas morio are also known as superworms. These saprophagous insects are capable of feeding on materials with low nutritional value, which indicates the high adaptability of their digestive system. “In recent years, it has been shown that these larvae can consume and partially degrade a wide range of synthetic polymers, including polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET),” says the scientist. The larvae first chew the plastics mechanically, and then their own enzymes, together with microorganisms in their intestines, are able to chemically break down the plastic in this way.

Researchers want to understand the principles that larvae use to break down plastics. “If we identify the key enzymes and metabolic processes involved in degradation, we can then use them independently, without the need for larvae,” explains Tomáš Do. Modern omics methods play an important role in the project. “It’s a set of approaches that monitor everything at once—genes, proteins, and metabolites. In our case, we analyze the larvae’s intestines and their microbiome after they consume different types of plastics,” adds the scientist. Omics methods thus provide an overall picture of what is happening in the larvae’s organism.

Artificial intelligence also plays an important role in the research. Scientists from the Institute of Computer Science at Mendel University are involved in this part of the project. Their task is to develop and apply algorithms for the analysis of proteomic data, which are used to identify proteins involved in plastic degradation and to reveal hidden connections in individual omic layers. “By incorporating artificial intelligence methods, we expect to be able to analyze this data more accurately and efficiently than standard bioinformatics methods allow,” explains Do.

Initial preliminary results confirm that larvae are not only capable of decomposing various types of plastics, but can even survive on them for long periods of time. “We are currently focusing on optimizing breeding conditions so that the larvae’s consumption of plastics is as efficient as possible. This will be followed by detailed omic analyses,” adds the scientist. The research may contribute to the development of enzymes and microbial systems that will be able to break down plastics much more efficiently than current technologies. It could be used primarily by biotechnology companies involved in enzymatic and microbial recycling of plastics.