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<p>Plastic-eating insects capable of chewing and degrading plastic have garnered growing interest in insect-based plastic waste treatment technologies. However, limited studies focused on the adversely affect on insect health of polymer-rich diets, raising concerns about the long-term feasibility and sustainability of this approach. Thus, this study systematically examined the disruption of energy homeostasis and intestinal health to dietary exposure of non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE), biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) on <i>Zophobas atratus</i> larvae (superworms) during a 21-d experimental period. PLA’s pronounced hydrophilicity (84.8% oxygen-containing groups) corresponded with enhanced biodegradability and diminished toxicity. PE induced the most severe physiological disturbances, depressing survival to 56.5% and causing negative growth, whereas PLA and PBAT demonstrated relatively moderate effects, establishing the toxicity hierarchy as PE&gt;PBAT&gt;PLA. Microplastics provoked pseudo-starvation responses, depleting energy stores (15.5%–49.1% triglyceride reduction) despite elevated digestive enzyme activity, ultimately resulting in energy deficit (15.4%–41.5% ATP decline) that constrained growth and behavioral functions. Intestinal oxidative stress and barrier dysfunction were evident, particularly in PE-exposed larvae showing 34.1%–53.6% increased lipid peroxidation. Concurrent microbial dysbiosis featured characteristic <i>Proteobacteria</i> expansion and <i>Bacteroidetes</i> depletion, alongside proliferation of plastic-degrading genera like <i>Citrobacter</i>. This study provides crucial insights for evaluating the ecological feasibility of insect-based plastic degradation, offering essential foundations for practical applications.</p>

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Comparative Toxic Effects of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Microplastics in Zophobas atratus: Disruption of Energy Homeostasis and Intestinal Health

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月8日

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  • Yiming Chi,
  • Cuizhu Sun,
  • Fengmin Li

摘要

Plastic-eating insects capable of chewing and degrading plastic have garnered growing interest in insect-based plastic waste treatment technologies. However, limited studies focused on the adversely affect on insect health of polymer-rich diets, raising concerns about the long-term feasibility and sustainability of this approach. Thus, this study systematically examined the disruption of energy homeostasis and intestinal health to dietary exposure of non-biodegradable polyethylene (PE), biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) on Zophobas atratus larvae (superworms) during a 21-d experimental period. PLA’s pronounced hydrophilicity (84.8% oxygen-containing groups) corresponded with enhanced biodegradability and diminished toxicity. PE induced the most severe physiological disturbances, depressing survival to 56.5% and causing negative growth, whereas PLA and PBAT demonstrated relatively moderate effects, establishing the toxicity hierarchy as PE>PBAT>PLA. Microplastics provoked pseudo-starvation responses, depleting energy stores (15.5%–49.1% triglyceride reduction) despite elevated digestive enzyme activity, ultimately resulting in energy deficit (15.4%–41.5% ATP decline) that constrained growth and behavioral functions. Intestinal oxidative stress and barrier dysfunction were evident, particularly in PE-exposed larvae showing 34.1%–53.6% increased lipid peroxidation. Concurrent microbial dysbiosis featured characteristic Proteobacteria expansion and Bacteroidetes depletion, alongside proliferation of plastic-degrading genera like Citrobacter. This study provides crucial insights for evaluating the ecological feasibility of insect-based plastic degradation, offering essential foundations for practical applications.