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From Plastic Waste to Resources: Current Status and Future Potential of Galleria mellonella
Journal article   Peer reviewed

From Plastic Waste to Resources: Current Status and Future Potential of Galleria mellonella

Md. Mehedi Hasan, Shovon Chandra Sarkar, David Henry and Wei Xu
Journal of Applied Entomology, Vol.150(2), pp.207-217
2025

Abstract

biodegradation biorefinery greater wax moth nutritional value plastic waste
Plastic pollution is a pressing global challenge, with current management strategies often falling short regarding environmental impacts. As an alternative to plastic waste management approaches, the Galleria mellonella (Greater wax moth) has emerged as a potential natural agent to reduce plastic waste through its biodegradation. The G. mellonella larvae have a unique ability to consume and biodegrade various polymeric materials, including plastics, making them an eco-friendly solution to plastic waste management. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of G. mellonella larvae in waste bioconversion and future perspectives in plastic waste management. Key challenges of the application of G. mellonella include its use in large-scale waste processing, economic feasibility, and environmental impact. This review highlights the potential of G. mellonella as a sustainable solution for plastic waste management and its possible integration into biorefineries for the production of valuable materials.

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Citation topics
3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
3.60 Herbicides, Pesticides & Ground Poisoning
3.60.2078 Microplastic Pollution
Web Of Science research areas
Entomology
ESI research areas
Plant & Animal Science
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