Bioremediation of Polystyrene by Superworms
Session Number
Project ID: BIO 01
Advisor(s)
Dr. Jessica Amacher; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Biology
Start Date
19-4-2023 8:50 AM
End Date
19-4-2023 9:05 AM
Abstract
One of the greatest dangers to the environment is industrial waste, in particular, polystyrene (PS). Zophobas morio, commonly referred to as superworms, have the ability to break down polystyrene plastics. In this study, we investigate the suitability of Z. morio as a bioremediation organism. Three sets of 100 superworms were separated into three terrariums containing a normal diet (oats, apples, and potatoes), an extruded polystyrene (XPS) diet, and an expanded polystyrene (EPS) diet. Growth rates of the larvae were measured over a period of five weeks. After four weeks, the larvae were tested in choice chambers to determine their preference for the three diet options or a control. Results showed that superworms could survive on either PS diet but displayed indicators of stress raised on the PS diets, especially on the XP diet. Our choice chamber experiments indicated that Z. morio preferentially chose the diet that they were raised upon. These results confirm that Z. morio can indeed be raised on a PS diet, and that it may be possible to condition these organisms to continue breaking down PS in their environment when raised in that environment through their larval stage.
Bioremediation of Polystyrene by Superworms
One of the greatest dangers to the environment is industrial waste, in particular, polystyrene (PS). Zophobas morio, commonly referred to as superworms, have the ability to break down polystyrene plastics. In this study, we investigate the suitability of Z. morio as a bioremediation organism. Three sets of 100 superworms were separated into three terrariums containing a normal diet (oats, apples, and potatoes), an extruded polystyrene (XPS) diet, and an expanded polystyrene (EPS) diet. Growth rates of the larvae were measured over a period of five weeks. After four weeks, the larvae were tested in choice chambers to determine their preference for the three diet options or a control. Results showed that superworms could survive on either PS diet but displayed indicators of stress raised on the PS diets, especially on the XP diet. Our choice chamber experiments indicated that Z. morio preferentially chose the diet that they were raised upon. These results confirm that Z. morio can indeed be raised on a PS diet, and that it may be possible to condition these organisms to continue breaking down PS in their environment when raised in that environment through their larval stage.