Polystyrene shaping effect on the enriched bacterial community from the plastic-eating Alphitobius diaperinus (Insecta: Coleoptera)

Abstract Plastic pollution has become a serious issue of global concern, and biodegradation plastic wastes is representing one attractive environment-friendly alternative to traditional disposal paths. It known that insects are involved in the polymer degradation process, with reported evidence tenebrionid beetle larvae capable degrade polystyrene (PS), most used plastics worldwide. Recently, ribosomal RNA based survey on insect gut microbiota lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus revealed differentially abundant microbial taxa between PS-fed control group. Following these findings, an enrichment bacterial culture was set up liquid carbon-free basal medium PS film as sole carbon source using A. inoculum. After two-months analysed both by molecular culture-based methods. Isolated bacteria which had prevalent under selective conditions resulted ascribable three taxonomic groups: Klebsiella , Pseudomonas Stenothrophomonas . The predominance groups confirmed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, it consistent results previous reports. were able attach surfaces SEM observations showed presence thin fibrillar structures connecting cells abiotic surface.