Fat on plastic: Metabolic consequences of an LDPE diet in the fat body of the greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella)
Fat on plastic: Metabolic consequences of an LDPE diet in the fat body of the greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella)
Fat on plastic: Metabolic consequences of an LDPE diet in the fat body of the greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella)
Recent research has revealed how larvae of the greater wax moth (Galleria mellonella) metabolize low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic. The larvae maintain lipid reserves similar to those fed their natural honeycomb diet, even when consuming only plastic[^21].
The wax moth larvae break down plastic through enzymes in their saliva called PEases (Demetra and Ceres), which can oxidize and depolymerize polyethylene within hours at room temperature[9]. This process occurs without requiring gut bacteria, challenging earlier theories about microbial degradation[11].
Studies show the larvae's fat body plays a key metabolic role - when fed LDPE, they exhibit enhanced fatty acid metabolism while maintaining normal intestinal function[^27]. This suggests the wax moth larvae have evolved specialized mechanisms to process plastic compounds similarly to their natural wax diet.