PLASTIC DIGESTION

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to degradation of polymer materials, such as plastic materials. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method for digestion of one or more plastic-comprising material by the use of at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus. The product obtained by the method is also within the inventive concept. The disclosure furthermore relates to use of said at least one larva for digestion of a plastic-comprising material.

Claims

1. Method for degrading one or more plastic-comprising material, the method comprising contacting at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella and Alphitobius diaperinus, with at least one or more plastic-comprising materials under conditions permissive for said at least one larva to digest said material, wherein said material comprises at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said plastic-comprising material consists of at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as the group consisting of polyurethane, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, and polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof; such as the group consisting of synthetic polyamide and polyacrylate.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein said material comprises a further polymer.

7. Method according to claim 1, wherein said polymer is a copolymer comprising polyether and polyurethane, optionally wherein said material comprises a further polymer selected from the list consisting of a polyamide, cellulose, and polyester.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein said synthetic polyamide is selected from the group consisting of PA 6; PA 6.6; PA 10; and PA 12.

9. Method according to claim 1, wherein said polyester is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polycaprolactone, and polyethylene adipate.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one larva is of the species G. mellonella.

11. Method according to claim 1, wherein biomass is obtained from said digestion.

12. Use of at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella and Alphitobius diaperinus for digestion of a plastic-comprising material, wherein said material comprises at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

13. Use according to claim 12, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene; such as is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

14. Use according to claim 12, wherein said at least one larva is of the species G. mellonella.

15. Product obtained by the method according to claim 1, wherein said product comprises biomass.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0352] FIG. 1 shows the difference between the mass evolution of larvae in percentage, obtained on PP (cross) and PU (circles) compared to the mass evolution in percentage, obtained on wax. The conditions are described in Example 1.

[0353] FIG. 2 shows the difference between the mass evolution of larvae, in percentage obtained on a specific feeding substrate with the difference of mass evolution, in percentage, obtained on wax. The conditions and the specific polymers are given in Example 2.

[0354] FIG. 3 shows the difference in percentage between the mass evolution of larvae obtained on a specific feeding substrate in comparison to that of obtained on wax. The conditions and the specific polymers are given in Example 3.

REFERENCES

[0355] Bombelli et al., 2017, Curr. Biol., 27, 8, R292-R293 [0356] Lou et al., 2020, Environ. Sci. Technol. 54, 5, 2821-2831

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0357] In this example the larvae of G. mellonella were grown on polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PUR) and wax and the effect of different feeding substrates on larval mass evolution was examined, knowing that wax is the natural feeding substrate for those insects.

[0358] The calculations performed were carried out as follows:

[00001]$x=\frac{\left(m\left(1\right)-m0\left(1\right)\right)\mathrm{susbtrate}}{m0\left(1\right)\mathrm{substrate}}?100-\frac{\left(m\left(1\right)-m0\left(1\right)\right)\mathrm{wax}}{m0\left(l\right)\mathrm{wax}}?100$ [0359] where m(l) stands for average mass of one larva at time t, m0(l) stands for the average initial mass of larva for each respective experiment. X is given in %.

Material and Methods

[0360] The following materials were used as feed (also referred to as substrate in the calculations above): [0361] PP used was from a chocolate packaging, and [0362] PUR was from a kitchen dishwashing sponge.

[0363] Paraffin-based wax was from a protection for Bel's group cheese.

[0364] The larvae were purchased from Vivara (Sweden), at the 6-7th instar, with an average mass of 380 mg.

[0365] To avoid any interference the received larvae were starved for two days before being subjected to the different feed in order to be able to properly appreciate the effect of the newly feed substrate.

[0366] 10 larvae were placed in round-bottom glass vessels to reach the density of 0.63 larvae per square cm. The temperature was maintained at 24.1+/?0.4? C. and the relative humidity was maintained at 78+/?4%.

[0367] All the experiments were performed in triplicates and the results are presented as mean values of the three replicative experiments.

Obtained Results and Conclusion

[0368] The experiment lasted for 10 days. During the first 4 days there was an adaptation period of larvae towards the new substrates. The mass evolution was lower with PP substrate comparing to wax during this period (FIG. 1). However, after this adaptation period, the mass of the larvae fed the synthetic substrates increased compared to mass of larvae fed wax, the difference being of 9.3% for PP and 17.6% for PUR at the end of the experiment, knowing that wax is the natural feeding substrates for those insects.

[0369] Thus, this experiment establishes that PP and PUR are valuable feeding substrates for studied insects and that feeding the larvae said polymers increases growth and mass of the larvae. Hence, it is shown that the larvae feeding on said polymers as the only food source have a desirable mass increase and are able to digest the polymers and thus break down plastic material (such as plastic waste).

Example 2

[0370] In this example the larvae of G. mellonella were grown on different polymers, their mixes, and/or copolymers, and on wax and the effect of different feeding substrates on larval mass evolution examined. The purpose of the experiment was to demonstrate that G. mellonella is able to digest a large variety of plastic polymer materials. The calculations were carried out as outlined in Example 1.

Material and Methods

[0371] The following materials were used as feed (also referred to as substrate in the calculations above):

Pure Polymers (100%):

[0372] Polyamide (PAm) used was from a sweater manufactured by IPEM (Marseille) [0373] Polyester (PEster) was from a pyjama manufactured by Lindex [0374] Polyacrylate (PAcryl) was coming from a hat manufactured by H&M [0375] Cotton was from a sweater manufactured by Benetton.

Mixes and Copolymers:

[0376] PAm/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 82:18 was from a bath cloth manufactured by Medalist [0377] Cotton/polyester/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 57:38:5 was from an undercloth manufactured by Joliness.

[0378] To avoid any interference the received larvae were starved for two days before the beginning of the differentiate feeding.

[0379] 20 larvae were placed in round-bottom glass vessels to reach the density of 1.23 larvae per square cm. The temperature was maintained at 23.9+/?0.6? C., and the relative humidity was maintained at 81.4+/?5.1%. All the experiments were performed in duplicates and the results are presented as mean values of the two replicative experiments.

Obtained Results and Conclusion

[0380] Depending on the substrate the experiment lasted for 14 to 24 days. The individual time point for the end of the experiment is due that that most larvae died of pupated at this point. The obtained results show that there is a need for an adaptation period of 5-6 days for some substrates, e.g., Cotton/polyester/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 57:38:5 whereas other substrates are directly surperforming comparing to wax, e.g., PAcryl (FIG. 2). This indicates that the larvae require a period to adapt to a subset of plastic polymer based feeds, while other plastic polymer feeds are immediately efficiently utilized as an energy source for the larvae.

[0381] By the end of the experiment all the tested substrates show significant surperformance compared to wax. The mass of larvae fed on the tested plastic polymer feed substrates is significantly increased compared to the mass of larvae fed on the wax-based feed, which is the natural feeding substrate for these insect larvae. The data showing the increase in larval mass is summarized in Table 1 below:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Summary of results at end of experiment. The table summarizes the % increase in larval mass of the populations of larvae fed on the material as indicated in the table compared to the control population fed on wax. End of experiment % increase in Substrate (feed) (day) mass Polyamide (PAm) 15 21% Polyester (PEster) 19 13% Polyacrylate (PAcryl). 14 24% Cotton 24 13.5% PAm/polyether-polyurethane 19 25% copolymer: 82:18 Cotton/polyester/polyether- 24 24% polyurethane copolymer: 57:38:5

[0382] Thus, the data indicate that the biomass (as measured by the mass of larvae) increases in the range of from 13% (as shown for PEster) to more than 25% (as shown for PAm/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 82:18), compared to wax. This is considered a significant increase in the biomass production of the system.

[0383] In summary, this experiment establishes that different polymers, their mixes, and copolymers are valuable feeding substrates for studied insects and lead to an increased larval mass compared to natural feed of said insects. It is envisioned that the increase in larval mass may be useful for production of biomass. It was thus demonstrated that G. mellonella is able to digest a large variety of plastic polymer materials.

Example 3

[0384] In this example the larvae of G. mellonella were grown on different polymers, their mixes and copolymers, and on wax. The effect of different feeding substrates on larval mass evolution was examined, knowing that wax is the natural feeding substrates for said insects. The calculations were carried out as outlined in Example 1.

Material and Methods

[0385] The following materials were used as feed (also referred to as substrate in the calculations above):

Pure Polymers (100%):

[0386] PVC (polyvinyl chloride) was from single use gloves manufactured by Bluewear.

Mixes and Copolymers:

[0387] poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene), hereafter called nitrile, was from single use gloves PFNB?243 manufactured by Comfort Rubber Gloves Industries SDN; [0388] poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), hereafter called EVA, was from kneepads manufactured by Bluewear; [0389] PVC/PEster, 70%/30%, was from gloves manufactured by Bluewear.
Paraffin-based wax was from a protection for Bel's group cheese.

[0390] The larvae were purchased from Herpers Choise (Sweden), at the 6-7th instar, with an average mass of 320 mg. To avoid any interference the received larvae were starved for two days before the beginning of the differentiate feeding.

[0391] 20 larvae were placed in square-bottom glass vessels to reach the density of 0.16 larvae per square cm. The temperature was maintained at 23.2+/?0.4 degrees C.

[0392] All the experiments were performed in duplicates and the results are presented as mean values of the two replicative experiments.

Obtained Results and Conclusion

[0393] The experiment lasted for 10 days. Two development phases are observed (FIG. 3):

[0394] The first phase lasted for 2-5 days and corresponds to an adaptation period for the insects, wherein no significant difference between the mass evolution of insects fed with wax and insects fed with different polymeric materials is observed.

[0395] In the second phase, when the adaptation is finished, the mass increase of insects fed with polymeric materials is significantly higher in comparison to that of insects fed with wax. After 10 days of experimentation, the mass increase was about 20% for EVA and PVC/PEster and about 53% for PVC. Thus, the mass increase was in the range of 20-53% for said polymers after 10 days.

[0396] Thus, it was surprisingly found that the utilization of different types of polymers, their mixes and copolymers, such as PVC, nitrile, EVA and PVC/Pester, are valuable feeding substrates for the studied insects that lead to an increased larval mass compared to natural feed of said insects. It is concluded that valuable feeding substrates for the studied insects comprise copolymers of polyacrylonitrile and copolymers of polyethylene. It is envisioned that the increase in larval mass may be useful for production of biomass. It was thus demonstrated that G. mellonella is able to digest a large variety of plastic polymer materials such as pure polymers, polymer mixes and copolymers.

Example 4

[0397] In this example the larvae of T. molitor are grown on different polymers, their mixes, and copolymers, and on wheat bran. The effect of different feeding substrates on larval mass evolution is examined, knowing that wheat bran is a natural feeding substrate for those insects.

Material and Methods

Pure Polymers (100%):

[0398] Polypropylene (PP) is from a three-layer surgical face mask (all three layers were used, including non-woven and melt-blown layers), type IIR, manufactured by ESound Med; [0399] Polyamide (PAm) is from a sweater manufactured by IPEM (Marseille), [0400] Polyester (PEster) is from a pyjama manufactured by Lindex, [0401] Polyacrylate (PAcryl) is coming from a hat manufactured by H&M, [0402] Cotton is from a sweater manufactured by Benetton; [0403] Polyethylene (PE) is from a dipers' packaging manufactured by Libero

Mixes and Copolymers:

[0404] PEster/PAm/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 80:10:10 is from an undercloth manufactured by Man Underwear; [0405] Cotton/polyester/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 57:38:5 is from an undercloth manufactured by Joliness

[0406] To avoid any interference the received larvae are starved for two days before the beginning of the differentiate feeding.

[0407] 20 larvae are placed in round-bottom glass vessels to reach the density of 1+/?0.5 larvae per square cm. The temperature is maintained at 27+/?2? C., and the relative humidity is maintained at 80+/?5%.

[0408] All the experiments are performed in duplicates and the results are presented as mean values of the two replicative experiments.

Expected Results and Conclusion

[0409] It is expected that larvae need an adaptation period of several days to adjust to the new diets, after this adaptation period the larvae are expected to perform at least as well on the synthetic substrates as on wheat bran.

[0410] Thus, this experiment is expected to establish that the polymers, their mixes, and copolymers are valuable feeding substrates for those insects.

Example 5

[0411] In this example the larvae of A. diaperinus are grown on different polymers, their mixes, and copolymers, and on wheat bran. The effect of different feeding substrates on larval mass evolution is examined, knowing that wheat bran is a natural feeding substrate for those insects.

Material and Methods

Pure Polymers (100%):

[0412] Polypropylene (PP) is from a three-layer surgical face mask (all three layers were used, including non-woven and melt-blown layers), type IIR, manufactured by ESound Med; [0413] Polyamide (PAm) is from a sweater manufactured by IPEM (Marseille), [0414] Polyester (PEster) is from a pyjama manufactured by Lindex, [0415] Polyacrylate (PAcryl) is coming from a hat manufactured by H&M, [0416] Cotton is from a sweater manufactured by Benetton; [0417] Polyethylene (PE) is from a dipers' packaging manufactured by Libero

Mixes and Copolymers:

[0418] PEster/PAm/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 80:10:10 is from an undercloth manufactured by Man Underwear; [0419] Cotton/polyester/polyether-polyurethane copolymer: 57:38:5 is from an undercloth manufactured by Joliness

[0420] To avoid any interference the received larvae are starved for two days before the beginning of the differentiate feeding.

[0421] 20 larvae are placed in round-bottom glass vessels to reach the density of 1+/?0.5 larvae per square cm. The temperature is maintained at 27+/?2? C., and the relative humidity is maintained at 80+/?5%.

[0422] All the experiments are performed in duplicates and the results are presented as mean values of the two replicative experiments.

Expected Results and Conclusion

[0423] It is expected that larvae need an adaptation period of several days to adjust to the new diets, after this adaptation period the larvae are expected to perform at least as well on the synthetic substrates as on wheat bran.

[0424] Thus, this experiment is expected to establish that the polymers, their mixes, and copolymers are valuable feeding substrates for said insects.

ITEMIZED LIST OF EMBODIMENTS

[0425] 1. Method for degrading one or more plastic-comprising materials, the method comprising [0426] contacting at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus with at least one or more plasticcomprising materials under conditions permissive for said at least one larva to digest said material, wherein said material comprises at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or co-polymers thereof.

[0427] 2. Method for degrading one or more plastic-comprising materials, the method comprising [0428] contacting at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus with at least one or more plastic-comprising materials under conditions permissive for said at least one larva to digest said material, wherein said material comprises at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0429] such as wherein said material comprises at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene.

[0430] 3. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein said plastic-comprising material consists of at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0431] such as the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0432] 4. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein biomass is obtained from said digestion.

[0433] 5. Method according to item 4, wherein said biomass comprises pupae, and/or larvae of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus, such as the group of Galleria mellonella, and Alphitobius diaperinus, such as the group of Galleria mellonella, and/or feces of said larvae.

[0434] 6. Method according to any one of items 2 to 5, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, such as the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0435] 7. Method according to any one items 2 to 6, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0436] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0437] 8. Method according to any one of items 2 to 6, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0438] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0439] 9. Method according to any one of items 2 to 8, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0440] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, such as the group consisting of polyurethane.

[0441] 10. Method according to any one of items 2 to 6, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0442] such as the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, and polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, such as the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, and polyacrylate.

[0443] 11. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein said material comprises a further polymer.

[0444] 12. Method according to any one of items 2 to 11, wherein said copolymer of polyethylene is poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate).

[0445] 13. Method according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein said polymer consists of a copolymer comprising polyether and polyurethane, wherein said material optionally comprises a further polymer selected from the list consisting of a polyamide, cellulose, and polyester.

[0446] 14. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein said polymer is a synthetic polymer.

[0447] 15. Method according to any one of items 1 to 8 and 10 to 14, wherein said polyamide is selected from the group consisting of PA 6; PA 6.6; PA 10; and PA 12.

[0448] 16. Method according to any one of items 1 to 7 and 10 to 15, wherein said polyester is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polycaprolactone, and polyethylene adipate.

[0449] 17. Method according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein said polymer is a polyacrylonitrile copolymer, such as poly(acrylonitrile-butadiene).

[0450] 18. Method according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein said polymer is polyvinyl chloride, and wherein said material optionally comprises a further polymer, such as polyester.

[0451] 19. Method according any one of the preceding items, wherein said method is performed at a temperature of approximately from 4? C. to 40? C., such as approximately from 15? C. to 35? C., preferably of approximately from 20? C. to 30? C., most preferably of approximately from 25? C. to 27? C.

[0452] 20. Method according any one of the preceding items, wherein said method is performed at a humidity of approximately of from 30% to 99%.

[0453] 21. Method according to item 20, wherein said humidity is maintained at approximately 80.0%+/?5%.

[0454] 22. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the larva are kept at a density of 0.2-5 larvae per cm.sup.2, such as 0.2-3 larvae per cm.sup.2, such as 0.2-2 larvae per cm.sup.2 or such as 0.5-3 larvae per cm.sup.2, such as 0.5-2 larvae per cm.sup.2, such as 1-2 larvae per cm..sup.2

[0455] 23. Method according any one of the preceding items, wherein said larva is subjected to starvation prior to contacting the larva with any feed.

[0456] 24. Method according to item 23, wherein said starvation is for approximately 1 to 20 days, such as approximately for 1 to 10, such as approximately for 1 to 5 days, such as approximately for 2 days.

[0457] 25. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein said larva is of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, and Alphitobius diaperinus.

[0458] 26. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein said larva is of the species G. mellonella or Alphitobius diaperinus.

[0459] 27. Method according to any one of the preceding items, wherein said larva is of the species G. mellonella.

[0460] 28. Use of at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus, for digestion of a plastic-comprising material, wherein said material comprises or consists of at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or co-polymers thereof.

[0461] 29. Use of at least one larva of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus, for digestion of a plastic-comprising material, wherein said material comprises or consists of at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of [0462] polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0463] such as wherein said material comprises or consists of at least one plastic polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polyether, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylate, polyglycol, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylonitrile, synthetic polyamide and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene.

[0464] 30. Use according to item 29, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0465] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0466] 31. Use according to any one of items 29 to 30, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0467] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, synthetic polyamide, polyester, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0468] 32. Use according to any one of items 29 to 30, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0469] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof.

[0470] 33. Use according any one of items 29 to 32, wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0471] such as the group consisting of polyurethane, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, such as wherein the polymer is polyurethane.

[0472] 34. Use according to any one of items 29 to 30 wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, polyacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, and any copolymers of polyethylene, [0473] such as the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, and polyacrylate, and any mixes or copolymers thereof, such as the group consisting of synthetic polyamide, polyester, and polyacrylate.

[0474] 35. Use according to item 33, wherein said polymer is a copolymer comprising polyether and polyurethane, optionally comprising a further polymer selected from the list consisting of a synthetic polyamide, cellulose and polyester.

[0475] 36. Use according to any one of items 28 to 31 and 33 to 34, wherein said polyester is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalate, polycaprolactone, and polyethylene adipate.

[0476] 37. Use according to any one of items 28 to 31 and 34 to 35, wherein said polyamide is selected from the group consisting of PA 6; PA 6.6; PA 10; and PA 12.

[0477] 38. Product obtained by the method according to any one of items 1 to 27, wherein said product comprises biomass.

[0478] 39. Product according to item 38, wherein said product consist of biomass.

[0479] 40. Product according to any one of items 38 to 39, wherein said biomass comprises pupae, and/or larvae of the species selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Alphitobius diaperinus, such as selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, and Alphitobius diaperinus, such as selected from the group consisting of Galleria mellonella, and/or feces of said larvae.

[0480] 41. Product according to any one of items 38 to 40, which product is a fertilizer.

[0481] 42. Product according to any one of items 38 to 40, which product is an animal feed.