Artículo

Nature’s Plastic Predators: A Comprehensive and Bibliometric Review of Plastivore Insects

Resumen

Unprecedented plastic production has resulted in over six billion tons of harmful waste. Certain insect taxa emerge as potential agents of plastic biodegradation. Through a comprehensive manual and bibliometric literature analysis, this review analyses and consolidates the growing literature related to insect-mediated plastic breakdown. Over 23 insect species, representing Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and 4 other orders, have been identified for their capacity to consume plastic polymers. Natural and synthetic polymers exhibit high-level similarities in molecular structure and properties. Thus, in conjunction with comparative genomics studies, we link plastic-degrading enzymatic capabilities observed in certain insects to the exaptation of endogenous enzymes originally evolved for digesting lignin, cellulose, beeswax, keratin and chitin from their native dietary substrates. Further clarification is necessary to distinguish mineralisation from physicochemical fragmentation and to differentiate microbiome-mediated degradation from direct enzymatic reactions by insects. A bibliometric analysis of the exponentially growing body of literature showed that leading research is emerging from China and the USA. Analogies between natural and synthetic polymer’s degradation pathways will inform engineering robust enzymes for practical plastic bioremediation applications. By aggregating, analysing, and interpreting published insights, this review consolidates our mechanistic understanding of insects as a potential natural solution to the escalating plastic waste crisis.
Urrea-Cuéllar, Ángela (57220211864); Londoño Vásquez, David (55817087400)
Review of theoretical and research trends in the field of Psychology of Physical Activity and Sports in Ibero-American; [Revisión de las tendencias teóricas e investigativas en el campo de la Psicología de la Actividad Física y del Deporte en Iberoamérica]
2022
10.17081/psico.25.47.4836
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85151403886&doi=10.17081%2fpsico.25.47.4836&partnerID=40&md5=961c369da2b8790ba0c36e09f204bf96
All Open Access; Gold Open Access
Scopus
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