Chemicals derived from black soldier flies are being used to create bioplastics, thanks to the research led by scientists. Image: Cassidy Tibbetts
The idea of utilizing insects like black soldier flies to manufacture biodegradable plastics, which could later be broken down by the same insects, is no longer a mere concept. Recent scientific advancements have seen researchers develop methods to extract, refine, and convert insect-derived chemicals into effective biodegradable plastics.
These findings were showcased at the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Fall 2023 meeting, a blended event held both virtually and physically from Aug. 13–17. The meeting highlighted around 12,000 presentations on various scientific subjects.
Dr. Karen Wooley, the principal investigator of the project, has spent two decades transforming natural substances like glucose from sugarcane or trees into degradable polymers that do not linger in the environment. But these natural materials often come from sources also needed for food, fuel, and other essential commodities.
Thus, Wooley and her colleague Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin sought alternatives that wouldn’t conflict with these necessities. Tomberlin proposed using agricultural waste products from black soldier flies, an industry he has been instrumental in expanding.
These flies’ larvae contain valuable proteins and nutrients and are increasingly cultivated for animal feed and waste consumption. Adult flies, having a brief life after breeding, are usually discarded. These adult remains then became the starting point for Wooley’s team’s work. As Cassidy Tibbetts, a graduate student at Texas A&M University working on the project, explains, they are converting what is essentially garbage into something useful.
Tibbetts identified chitin as a significant component within the dead flies. This non-toxic, biodegradable, sugar-based polymer is already extracted from shrimp and crab shells, and Tibbetts has been working on refining methods to obtain it from the insect remains. This fly-derived chitin is likely purer and may eliminate concerns related to some seafood allergies. According to Wooley, her team is the first to use chitin from discarded adult flies, which are not used for feeding.
While the extraction process continues to be refined, Hongming Guo, another graduate student, has been transforming the purified fly chitin into a polymer called chitosan. This transformation allows the creation of useful bioplastics like superabsorbent hydrogels. Guo’s hydrogel can absorb 47 times its weight in water in a minute, a property that might be applied to agriculture in flood or drought situations in Texas, as Wooley elaborates. Since the hydrogel is biodegradable, it would slowly release nutrients for crops.
The team is initiating a project to break down chitin into glucosamines, small sugar molecules that will be used to produce bioplastics traditionally made from petroleum. The group also intends to explore other compounds found in black soldier flies as starting materials.
These environmentally friendly products, designed to decompose when discarded, will not add to the existing plastic pollution crisis. Wooley’s aspiration aligns with the concept of a sustainable, circular economy. She envisions a system where insects consume waste plastic as their food source and are then re-harvested for new plastic production, making the insects both the source and consumer of the discarded plastics.
Meeting: ACS Fall 2023
The work is supported and funded by the Welch Foundation and a private donation.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about fokus keyword: biodegradable plastics
What is the main purpose of the research on black soldier flies?
The main purpose of the research is to extract chemicals from black soldier flies to create biodegradable plastics. These plastics can later be decomposed by the same insects, thus promoting a circular economy.
How are the black soldier flies being used in this process?
The adult carcasses of black soldier flies are used to extract chitin, a major component that is then refined and transformed into a polymer called chitosan. This polymer can be further converted into biodegradable plastics, such as superabsorbent hydrogels.
Where were the findings of this research presented?
The findings were presented at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), held virtually and in-person from August 13-17, 2023.
Who is leading the research on transforming flies into biodegradable plastics?
Dr. Karen Wooley is the project’s principal investigator, working with colleagues like Dr. Jeffery Tomberlin and graduate students including Cassidy Tibbetts and Hongming Guo at Texas A&M University.
What are the potential applications of the biodegradable products created from the flies?
The biodegradable products created from the flies can be used in various ways, such as superabsorbent hydrogels that can be applied in agriculture to capture floodwater and slowly release moisture during droughts. Other bioplastics like polycarbonates or polyurethanes can be made from the flies’ small sugar molecules. All these products are designed to degrade or digest when discarded, aligning with a sustainable, circular economy concept.
Is the research supported by any organizations or funding?
Yes, the research acknowledges support and funding from the Welch Foundation and a private donation.
5 comments
the idea of using flies to make plastic and then letting them decompose it sounds bit like science fiction but its real, amazing!
I’m always wondring what’s next in the world of recycling and sustainable living. This seems like a big step in the right direction. Circular economy, here we come?
Anyone else think this is kind of gross but also cool at the same time? Good to see science pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. We need more of this in the world.
Wow, never thoght flies could be so useful. Turning waste into something valuable – that’s innovative science right there!
i didnt know much about biodegradable plastics before reading this, sounds promising. They really need to get this out into the market!