Decomposition of Microplastics by Tenebrio molitor (Mealworm) Intestinal Facultative Anaerobes Facilitate Wheat Growth

Overview

Soil MPs pollution intensifies rapidly, posing large negative impact on agriculture. Previously used MPs decomposing strains such as Citrobacter sp. were identified as low in efficiency. This project proposes in-vitro T.molitor intestinal facultative anaerobes have higher MPs decomposition efficiency and stronger adaptability, assesses its application feasibility and explores its facilitation on wheat growth under PP-MPs stress. The ability of T.molitor intestinal facultative anaerobes decompsing PP-MPs was verified through turbidity measurement and microscopy. Illumina platform was used to analyse species composition. KEGG, Metacyc were used for metabolic pathway analysis. PP-MPs concentration with the greatest negative impact on wheat was explored by concentration gradient test. Facilitation effect was evaluated through 6 physiological indicators. Results showed that in vitro T.molitor intestinal facultative anaerobes decomposed PP-MPs at 67.78% decomposition rate comparing with the traditional 35.75% one in 42d. In metabolic pathway analysis, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria abundance increase after 40 generations cultivation, representing robustness and applicability. In 0.005% PP-MPs environment which had strongest negative impact on wheat growth, wheat seeds’ rooting rate was increased by 12.02%±3.26% after 40h, wheat growth rate was increased by 0.48cm/d after adding T.molitor intestinal facultative anaerobes. Meanwhile, Chl a concentration was increased by 77mg/g in 9d; POD activity was reduced with significance thus slowing down lignification. Nitrogen and phosphorous absorption were enhanced by 67.12%±1.39%. This novel bio-decomposition method provides guidance for improving soil ecological health and agricultural productivity.

Awards (1)

• Second Award of $2,000 $2,000

Competition history

• ISEF 2022 Microbiology · Entry MCRO014 · Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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