German scientists question study on plastic-eating caterpillars

In April, the report of plastic bag eating caterpillars caused sensation in worldwide media. The authors of the University in Santander had reported that the larvae of wax moth Galleria mellonella were able to digest polyethylene (PE). This polymer is mainly used for making plastic packaging and bags.
Researchers at the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) now critically examined the released data and experimental procedures and published a counterstatement. According to their report, a sufficient proof for the bio-degradation of polyethylene is missing in the first publication. An article about their findings is published in Current Biology (Press Release JGU, 6 September 2017).
Click here for the press release.
Click here for an abstract of the published article.
Click here for an abstract of the article published in April 2017.
Click here for more information about the NVC Project PUMA: the end of packaging as an environmental issue. You are welcome to join us for the next project meeting on 4 April 2018.

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