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Biodegradation of expanded polystyrene (EPS) (Styrofoam) block as feedstock to Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) imago: A promising plastic-degrading process

100%

Fabreag M. A. C., Familara J. A.

World News of Natural Sciences

2019

vol. 24

145-156

The study was conducted to determine the biodegradation of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) (Styrofoam) Blocks as feedstock to Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) Imago. Three-hundred-sixty (360) Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) Imagos were collected and acclimatized for two days before being exposed to experimentation. Incubation boxes were made using plywood. Three set-ups were prepared, with 30 Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) each. Seven (7) grams of Styrofoam Block were placed in Set-up 1, seven (7) grams of Styrofoam and seven (7) grams of Rice grain Bran in Set-up 2 and seven (7) grams of Rice grain Bran in Set-up 3 with three replications each. Mean percent mass loss of Styrofoam and Rice grain Bran, mean percent mass loss and survival rate of Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) were measured at 5th, 10th, 15th and 20th day incubation periods. Maximum mean percent mass loss in the different set-ups was observed at the 10th, 15th and 20th incubation period, with loses of 7.14%, 10.71% and 10.71%, respectively. Meanwhile, maximum mean percent increased weight of Tribolim castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) was observed at the 10th day incubation period, with 13.51%, 44.44% and 37.93%, respectively. Microscopic observation, of a dark white smear on the gut of the specimen indicates that Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) Imago really masticate and biodegrade the Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) (Styrofoam) blocks. The survival rate of Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) in the diverse set-ups showed no significant difference. This implies that ingestion of Styrofoam Block had no lethal effects on the natural weight variation and health of the Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle). Hence, results indicate that Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) (Styrofoam) Block can be a feedstock for Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle).

Restoration of Charcoal-Site Soil Properties on Modified Land Models through Bioremediation Potential of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)

81%

Mejico S. M., Garcia R. B., Familara J. A.

World News of Natural Sciences

2019

vol. 23

321-335

Burning can substantially change vegetation status, and enhance the soil erosion of previously productive areas (Santin & Doerr, 2016). This is why bioremediation techniques have been developed to accelerate the recovery of soil properties. In this four month-long study, the bioremediation potential of peanut plants was tested in restoring charcoal-site soil properties. The experiment had three set-ups, a positive control and a control that had undergo pyrolysis for a week and then was planted with peanuts. The moisture content and pH, Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) of all soils were tested with a soil kit from the Department of Agriculture, before and after pyrolysis and after four months, which was also validated by the Bureau of Soils. In the experiment, plant morphology, mainly height, number of leaves and leaf area index (LAI) showed a linear increase all throughout the study, unlike the number of flowers. These were sporadic, with first appearance on week 4, and had a peak of 16 flowers at week 10 from 14 pods. With regard to soil properties, planting peanuts made the soil alkaline (7.3 - up from 5.8 pH after pyrolysis), while Nitrogen content increased from low to medium. In contrast, Phosphorus levels stayed high all throughout the study, while Potassium levels decreased after the pyrolysis and become deficient after four months. Moreover, the moisture content increased from 3.905 after pyrolysis, to 12.69. These results provide evidence that the peanut plant has bioremediation potential on charcoal-site soils after a four month long treatment period.

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2 World News of Natural Sciences

2 2019

2 Familara J. A.

1 Fabreag M. A. C.

1 Garcia R. B.

1 Mejico S. M.

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Biodegradation of expanded polystyrene (EPS) (Styrofoam) block as feedstock to Tribolium castaneum (Red Flour Beetle) imago: A promising plastic-degrading process

Restoration of Charcoal-Site Soil Properties on Modified Land Models through Bioremediation Potential of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)