By Rashidat Oladele
Researchers at Texas A&M University have unveiled a groundbreaking discovery that utilizes waste products from farming black soldier flies to produce biodegradable polymers.
These polymers, made from the chitin found in the flies’ exoskeletons, offer a promising alternative to traditional polymers that have adverse environmental impacts.
The research was presented at the autumn meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS). The significance of the finding lies in its potential to address the challenge of sourcing biodegradable polymers that do not compete with resources used for food, fuel, construction, and transportation.
The team, led by principal investigator Karen Wooley, has been developing methods to transform natural products, such as glucose from sugar cane or trees, into degradable polymers.
However, these sources often have competing uses. The idea to utilize waste from farming black soldier flies came from the realization that the larvae of these flies contain valuable proteins and compounds used for animal feed and waste breakdown.
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The researchers identified chitin, a sugar-based polymer, as a key component in the flies’ exoskeletons. Chitin is also present in the shells of crustaceans like shrimp and crabs, which are used for chitin extraction.
The team discovered that the chitin powder obtained from flies appeared to be purer than that from crustaceans, and it could potentially alleviate concerns related to seafood allergies.
One significant outcome of their research is the creation of a hydrogel that can absorb water up to 47 times its weight in just one minute.
This hydrogel has potential applications in cropland soil, where it could capture excess floodwater and release it slowly during drought periods, addressing the challenges of both flooding and water scarcity that often occur in regions like Texas.
Looking forward, the researchers are optimistic about their ability to create bioplastics like polycarbonates or polyurethanes, which are typically derived from petrochemicals, from the black soldier fly waste.
These bioplastics offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastics, contributing to efforts to reduce plastic pollution and environmental harm.
