{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,16]],"date-time":"2026-06-16T10:58:19Z","timestamp":1781607499074,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,9]],"date-time":"2024-06-09T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1717891200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001691","name":"Japan Society for the Promotion of Science","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["23K04822"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["23K04822"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001691","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Polymers"],"abstract":"<jats:p>A degradation mechanism of polystyrene (PS) in mealworms reared on expanded PS (EPS) was investigated by its decrease in molecular weight and change in chemical structure. A 33% decrease in molecular weight was observed for the digested PS in the frass after 1 week of feeding to mealworms. The FT-IR and py-GC\/MS spectra of the digested PS showed radical oxidative reactions taking place in the mealworm body. The presence of hydroperoxide, alcohol and phenol groups was confirmed, and dimer fragments of styrene with quinone and phenol groups were obtained. The decrease in molecular weight and the alternation of benzene rings indicated that autoxidation and quinonization via phenolic intermediates occurred simultaneously in the mealworm body. The survival rate of mealworms reared on EPS was higher than that of starved worms, indicating that EPS was a nutrient source. However, no weight gain was observed in mealworms fed EPS alone. Comparison with the mixed diets with bran or urethane foams (PU) indicated that protein, phosphorus and magnesium components absent from EPS were required for mealworm growth.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/polym16121632","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,10]],"date-time":"2024-06-10T08:49:03Z","timestamp":1718009343000},"page":"1632","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["Biodegradation Mechanism of Polystyrene by Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and Nutrients Influencing Their Growth"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"16","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-4216-8536","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Hisayuki","family":"Nakatani","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology Chemistry and Materials Engineering Program, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"},{"name":"Organization for Marine Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuto","family":"Yamaura","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology Chemistry and Materials Engineering Program, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuma","family":"Mizuno","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology Chemistry and Materials Engineering Program, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Suguru","family":"Motokucho","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology Chemistry and Materials Engineering Program, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"},{"name":"Organization for Marine Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Anh Thi Ngoc","family":"Dao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology Chemistry and Materials Engineering Program, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hiroyuki","family":"Nakahara","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology Smart City Design Engineering Program, Nagasaki University, 1-14 Bunkyo-machi, Nagasaki 852-8521, Japan"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,9]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"205","DOI":"10.1146\/annurev-marine-010816-060409","article-title":"Plastics in the Marine Environment","volume":"9","author":"Law","year":"2017","journal-title":"Annu. Rev. Mar. Sci."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"768","DOI":"10.1126\/science.1260352","article-title":"Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into the Ocean","volume":"347","author":"Jambeck","year":"2015","journal-title":"Science"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113467","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2022.113467","article-title":"Residual Additives in Marine Microplastics and Their Risk Assessment\u2014A critical review","volume":"177","author":"Fauser","year":"2022","journal-title":"Mar. Pollut. Bull."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2717","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.0c07781","article-title":"The Global Plastic Toxicity Debt","volume":"55","author":"Rillig","year":"2021","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.1016\/j.marpolbul.2010.10.013","article-title":"Early Microbial Biofilm Formation on Marine Plastic Debris","volume":"62","author":"Lobelle","year":"2011","journal-title":"Mar. Pollut. Bull."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7137","DOI":"10.1021\/es401288x","article-title":"Life in the \u2018Plastisphere\u2019: Microbial Communities on Plastic Marine Debris","volume":"47","author":"Zettler","year":"2013","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1203","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.2018.1203","article-title":"Rapid Aggregation of Biofilm-covered Microplastics with Marine biogenic particles","volume":"285","author":"Michels","year":"2018","journal-title":"Proc. R. Soc. B"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2017.07.121","article-title":"Bioaccumulation of PCBs from Microplastics in Norway Lobster (Nephrops norvegicus): An Experimental Study","volume":"186","author":"Devriese","year":"2017","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1874","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.8b05143","article-title":"Transfer of PCBs from Microplastics under Simulated Gut Fluid Conditions is Biphasic and Rreversible","volume":"53","author":"Nor","year":"2019","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"923","DOI":"10.1002\/mame.200700058","article-title":"Chemical Recycling of Polystyrene by Pyrolysis: Potential Use of the Liquid Product for the Reproduction of Polymer","volume":"292","author":"Achilias","year":"2007","journal-title":"Macromol. Mater. Eng."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106364","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jaap.2024.106364","article-title":"Investigating the Impact of Microwave and Conventional Heating Sources on the Co-pyrolysis of Plastics with Non\u2013biomass Materials","volume":"177","author":"Mistry","year":"2024","journal-title":"Anal. Appl. Pyrol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119114","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envpol.2022.119114","article-title":"Mechanical Recycling of Plastic Waste as A Point Source of Microplastic Pollution","volume":"303","author":"Suzuki","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environ. Pollut."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100309","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hazadv.2023.100309","article-title":"The Potential for A Plastic Recycling Facility to Release Microplastic Pollution and Possible Filtration Remediation Effectiveness","volume":"10","author":"Brown","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Hazard. Mater. Adv."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"110260","DOI":"10.1016\/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110260","article-title":"Long Term Thermo\u2013oxidative Degradation and Stabilization of Polypropylene (PP) and the Implications for its Recyclability","volume":"208","author":"Gijsman","year":"2023","journal-title":"Polym. Degad. Stab."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12080","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.5b02661","article-title":"Biodegradation and Mineralization of Polystyrene by Plastic\u2013eating Mealworms: Part 1. Chemical and Physical Characterization and Isotopic Tests","volume":"49","author":"Yang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12087","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.5b02663","article-title":"Biodegradation and Mineralization of Polystyrene by Plastic\u2013eating Mealworms: Part 2. Role of Gut Microorganisms","volume":"49","author":"Yang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6526","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.8b02301","article-title":"Biodegradation of Polyethylene and Plastic Mixtures in Mealworms (Larvae of Tenebrio molitor) and Effects on the Gut Microbiome","volume":"52","author":"Brandon","year":"2018","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"979","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2017.10.117","article-title":"Biodegradation of Polystyrene Wastes in Yellow Mealworms (larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus): Factors Affecting Biodegradation Rates and the Ability of Polystyrene\u2013fed Larvae to Complete their Life Cycle","volume":"191","author":"Yang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11224","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-020-67363-1","article-title":"Evaluation of Various Commodities for the Development of the Yellow Mealworm, Tenebrio molitor","volume":"10","author":"Rumbos","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130840","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2021.130840","article-title":"Biodegradation of Expanded Polystyrene by Mealworm Larvae under Different Feeding Strategies Evaluated by Metabolic Profiling using GC-TOF-MS","volume":"281","author":"Tsochatzi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"126222","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhazmat.2021.126222","article-title":"Response of the Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Gut Microbiome to Diet Shifts during Polystyrene and Polyethylene Biodegradation","volume":"416","author":"Lou","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Hazard. Mater."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"136842","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2023.136842","article-title":"Consumption and Degradation of Different Consumer Plastics by Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor): Effects of Plastic Type, Time, and Mealworm Origin","volume":"403","author":"Pham","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1007\/s12088-021-00922-w","article-title":"Changes in Intestinal Microbiota Due to the Expanded Polystyrene Diet of Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor)","volume":"61","author":"Bae","year":"2021","journal-title":"Indian J. Microbiol."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130840","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chemosphere.2021.132063","article-title":"Long\u2013term Effect of Plastic Feeding on Growth and Transcriptomic Response of Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor L.)","volume":"287","author":"Zhong","year":"2022","journal-title":"Chemosphere"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"154458","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2022.154458","article-title":"Impacts of Physical\u2013chemical Property of Polyethylene on Depolymerization and Biodegradation in Yellow and Dark Mealworms with High Purity Microplastics","volume":"828","author":"Yang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"155719","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2022.155719","article-title":"Different Plastics Ingestion Preferences and Efficiencies of Superworm (Zophobas atratus Fab.) and Yellow Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor Linn.) Associated with Ddistinct Gut Microbiome Changes","volume":"837","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"Sci. Total Environ."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17310","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.2c06260","article-title":"Influence of Polymer Size on Polystyrene Biodegradation in Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor): Responses of Depolymerization Pattern, Gut Microbiome, and Metabolome to Polymers with Low to Ultrahigh Molecular Weight","volume":"56","author":"Peng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3925","DOI":"10.1007\/s10924-023-02843-9","article-title":"Cooperation between Tenebrio Molitor (Mealworm larvae) and Their Symbiotic Microorganisms Improves the Bioavailability of Polyethylene","volume":"31","author":"Liu","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Polym. Environ."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"364","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.est.9b06501","article-title":"Fate of Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), A Common Flame Retardant, in Polystyrene-degrading Mealworms: Elevated HBCD Levels in Egested Polymer but No Bioaccumulation","volume":"54","author":"Brandon","year":"2020","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4222","DOI":"10.1046\/j.1432-1033.2000.01469.x","article-title":"Formation of Acyl radical in Lipid Peroxidation of Linoleic Acid by Manganese-Dependent Peroxidase from Ceriporiopsis subvermispora and Bjerkandera adusta","volume":"267","author":"Watanabe","year":"2000","journal-title":"Eur. J. Biochem."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"295","DOI":"10.1351\/pac198052020295","article-title":"New Aspects of Photodegradation and Photooxidation of PS","volume":"52","author":"Rnby","year":"1980","journal-title":"Pure Appl. Chem."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nakatani, H., Uchiyama, T., Motokucho, S., Dao, A.T.N., Kim, H.J., Yagi, M., and Kyozuka, Y. (2024). Differences in the Residual Behavior of A Bumetrizole\u2013type Ultraviolet Light Absorber during the Degradation of Various Polymers. Polymers, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym16020293"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1016\/0141-3910(95)00060-Y","article-title":"Re-examination of the Role of Hydroperoxides in Polyethylene and Polypropylene: Chemical and Physical Aspects of Hydroperoxides in Polyethylene","volume":"49","author":"Gugumus","year":"1995","journal-title":"Polym. Degrad. Stab."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scienta.2005.12.006","article-title":"Magnesium Deficiency Induced Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Responses in Mulberry Plants","volume":"108","author":"Rajesh","year":"2006","journal-title":"Sci. Hortic."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"375","DOI":"10.3892\/mmr.2012.933","article-title":"Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate and Coenzyme Q10 Protect Keratinocytes against UVA Irradiation by Suppressing Glutathione Depletion","volume":"6","author":"Hwang","year":"2012","journal-title":"Mol. Med. Rep."}],"container-title":["Polymers"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2073-4360\/16\/12\/1632\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T14:56:11Z","timestamp":1760108171000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2073-4360\/16\/12\/1632"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,9]]},"references-count":35,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,6]]}},"alternative-id":["polym16121632"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/polym16121632","relation":{},"ISSN":["2073-4360"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2073-4360","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2024,6,9]]}}}