Microplastic & Salt

#Doyouknow the effects of #microplastics and #salt (NaCl) on #BSFL survival rates, pupation ratio, and substrate reduction rate.

#Polyethylene (PE) and #Polystyrene (PS) are common materials in disposable bags and food containers. These plastics often enter food waste streams. Over time, they break down into microplastics, which are plastic fragments smaller than 5 mm. Researchers have not fully examined how these microplastics affect the survival, pupation, and substrate reduction of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens).

Food waste can also contain inorganic substances such as #salt (NaCl). High salt levels can reduce the efficiency of BSF bioconversion. One study tested 1%, 2%, and 3% NaCl (fresh weight basis) and observed clear impacts on performance.

Higher NaCl levels reduce larval growth, pupation rate, and substrate reduction efficiency. However, survival rate remains largely unchanged. Microplastics show a similar pattern. They do not significantly affect survival, but they reduce overall performance. Despite this, larvae can still process food waste that contains microplastics and moderate salt levels (up to about 3%).

Interestingly, larvae exposed to microplastics show a higher pupation ratio than the control group. This means more larvae reach the prepupal stage within the same rearing period (24 days). In other words, development appears faster under microplastic exposure.

Researchers, including Cho et al. (2020), suggest a possible explanation. Microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors. They could interfere with hormone systems and alter larval development.
#microplastics #plastic #blacksoldierfly #physiology