Chapter I

Problem and Its Background

Introduction

It is inevitably proven that Styrofoam degrades super slow, which is why it’s

such a big problem that most of the times people do dump million of tons of it to

landfills – not to mention all the stuff that just end up as a litter or floating in the

ocean. Although, even with so many of us are doing our bit to help out with recycling,

the amounts of discarded plastics still increases, that is why until now garbage remain

as a burden. But an invaluable breakthrough as this study has been discovered which

could technically broaden our mind in the world of Science. The stomach of this

insect contains bacteria which can breakdown plastics and Styrofoam. The

Superworms/Zophobas Morio – darkling beetle larvae, which entitled as the natural

trash-disposers our society needs to battle the scourge of Plastics or Styrofoam

polluting our planet.

Understanding how bacteria process a plastic thought to be a practically

indestructible may lead to a way of disposing safely non-renewable plastic or

Styrofoam thrown anywhere. This study comes from the heels of discovery that the

larvae of another insect called mealworm, much smaller, less aggressive compared to

superworm can actually eat and digest polystyrene and polyethylene.

According to new studies published in Environmental Science and

Technology by co-authors Professor Yang and his doctorate student Yu Yang of

Beihang University, and Stanford University engineer Wei-Min Wu. The research

documented 100 mealworms that consumed 34 to 39 milligrams of Styrofoam, which

1
is about the weight of a pill, every day. Scientists also paid attention to the

mealworms' overall health and saw larvae that ate a diet subsisting strictly of

Styrofoam were as healthy as mealworms eating a normal diet of bran. This study

became the researcher’s foundation in trying the closed relative species of mealworms

called Superworms/Zophobas Morio, which is way more active and bigger than

mealworms.

Compared to the amount of plastics and the superworm, indeed possible to

scoff Styrofoam as the insects rather the larvae they have used and said

Superworm/Zophobas Morio are more likely relevant to each other in some ways.

This IP is highly assumed to be successful for the pleasure of the researcher to help.

2
Conceptual Framework

The input is the title of the study. It involved the variable of the study which is

the effectivity of superworms to digest Styrofoam and plastic.

The process showed that the superworms which include the instrument used in

gathered the data needed specifically, the researchers conducted an observation and

examination of superworms.

The output includes the overall observation that the worms can digest

Styrofoam/plastics without affecting the overall health of superworms.

Paradigm of the Study

Input Process Output

The super worms

The Effectivity of were able to digest
Superworms to the Styrofoam and
• Observation
digest plastic and plastic within 5
• Examination
Styrofoam. months without

affecting their

overall health.

3
Statement of the Problem

Main Objective:

The principal objective of this study is to examine the effectivity of

Superworm/ Zophobas Morio to safely digest plastics and styrofoam.

Specific Objectives:

1. How can it be possible for the worms to ingest and digest plastics?

2. How can it be possible for the worms to ingest and digest Styrofoam?

3. What are the possible effects of the plastics and Styrofoam to the

superworms when consumed?

3.1 Superworms live longer

3.2. Superwoms becomes healthier

4
Significance of the study

In general, the findings of this study provide information and solution on how

to degrade plastic wastes. Specifically, the results of this study will benefit the

following:

To the community, it will help to reduce the global epidemic disease from plastic and

Styrofoam and also its adverse effect to the environment will be prevented likewise

global warming and ozone depletion.

To the environmentalist, this will serve as an important factor to improve the

environment by lessening the garbage specially the Styrofoam and plastic and in

addition, to protect the quality of the natural environment.

To the organization that handles sanitary landfill, it will help to reduce plastic and

Styrofoam in sanitary landfill it is important to lessen it specially Styrofoam because

it is hard to recycle.

To the future researchers, it will serve this study as a basis in gathering information

for their research.

5
Scope and Delimitation

The researchers involved 100 superworms that served as the variables for this

study. Researchers used 2 kinds of plastic which is plastic bag and plastic cup also in

styrofoam they used 2 kinds which is food-storing and school material. Nonetheless

this study was delimited to the effectivity of superworms to digest styrofoam and

plastics that would be observed for 5 months.

6
Definition of Terms

Appetite - the worm’s desire to eat.

Bran - the traditional meal of mealworms and is usually edible grains.

Degrade - to break down plastics and Styrofoam.

Digest - to break down polystyrene.

Indigest - inability to break down polystyrene.

Inevitably - unavoidably.

Larvae - a tiny worm.

Mealworm - are capable of degrading polystyrene into usable organic matter .They

are much smaller and less active compared to super worms.

Polyethylene - most common plastic

Polystyrene - a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products it

can be solid or foamed.

Potency - the power/capability of super worms.

Styrofoam and plastics - common examples of polystyrene.

Subsisting - maintaining.

Superworms/Zophobas Morio - a larvae of a darkling beetle. Natural trash-disposers

of our society.

7
 Chapter II

Review of Related Literature

Foreign Literature

In this study, researchers examined the effectivity of superworm or zophobas

morio to safely ingest and digest plastics and Styrofoam. Garbage is a big problem.

Styrofoam has become such an accepted everyday product rarely stop to realize that it

is made for polystyrene, a petroleum-based plastic. There are only few people who

understand how Styrofoam harms the environment.

According to the study of Criddle, (2015) entitled “Mealworms can happily

and safely eat Styrofoam”, styrofoam and in particular Styrofoam cups, are

everywhere, and less than 10 percent of those used in the United States get recycled.

In the first study researchers found that mealworms fed only Styrofoam were just as

healthy as mealworms fed the more traditional meal (bran, in this case). Each worm

could eat about a pill-sized portion every day. In the second study focused on the

mealworms' gut microbes, which are able to break down the plastic safely. The

researchers were able to turn these bacteria into a film that they applied to

polystyrene, a form of the same plastic used to make Styrofoam. The bacteria were

also able to eat through polystyrene, but at a much slower rate than the mealworms.”

As stated by Jorda, (2015) on his study named as “Plastic-eating worms may

offer solution to mounting waste”, the tiny worm, which is the larvae form of the

darkling beetle, can subsist on a diet of Styrofoam and other forms of polystyrene,

according to two companion studies co-authored by Wei-Min Wu, a senior research

engineer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Stanford.

8
Microorganisms in the worms' guts biodegrade the plastic in the process – a surprising

and hopeful finding. In the lab, 100 mealworms ate between 34 and 39 milligrams of

Styrofoam – about the weight of a small pill – per day. The worms converted about

half of the Styrofoam into carbon dioxide, as they would with any food source. Within

24 hours, they excreted the bulk of the remaining plastic as biodegraded fragments

that look similar to tiny rabbit droppings. Mealworms fed a steady diet of Styrofoam

were as healthy as those eating a normal diet, Wu said, and their waste appeared to be

safe to use as soil for crops.”

As claimed by the study of Ziv (2015) entitled “Plastic-eating mealworms can

safely digest Styrofoam”, the researchers found that each mealworm consumed from

12 to 100 milligrams of Styrofoam per day, depending on their larval stage and size.

After roughly 10 days adapting to the new diet, the mealworms could degrade the

plastic in their guts in less than 24 hours, turning 47.7 percent of what they ingested

into carbon dioxide and most of the rest into fecal matter. “If proven possible by other

groups, these studies should have a major impact on the large problem of plastic

wastes in the environment.” Bassi says he would be interested in studies focus on the

intermediaries—the enzymes involved in degradation, for example—trying to explain

the biochemistry and metabolism at work here.”

According to the study of Imam (2015) entitled, "The most important part

understands that the mealworm's gut is so efficient in degrading plastic," he said that

the bacteria is essential. When researchers fed mealworms antibiotics and then plastic,

that plastic was not degraded. “The mealworm's gut environment is very important,"

he said. The hope is that by understanding the mechanisms inside the mealworm's gut,

scientists and engineers can create either new ways of degrading plastic waste or find

new ways to produce plastic that can easily be biodegraded.

9
 According to Philipis (2015), “For years, previous studies suggested that the

degradation of plastics like Styrofoam may take decades or hundreds of years. The

researchers found that the worms converted half the Styrofoam into carbon dioxide—

same as they would with any food source—and the rest was excreted within a day as

"biodegraded fragments that look similar to tiny rabbit droppings."

10
Local Literature

As claimed by the study of Assembly woman Felicita G. Bernadino Memorial

Trade School (2017) entitled “Zophobas Morio and Low-Density Polyethylene”,

however, the researchers found that Galleria Mellonella, commonly known as wax

worms, can damage polyethylene by chewing and eating. The researchers were given

an idea by the said organism and began to wonder if other worms like Zophobas

Morio can actually break a polyethylene”.

11
 Chapter III

Methods and Procedure

In order to complete this study, researchers follow a scientific method and

procedure. The variables of the study serves as the 100 superworms and equally

separate it in 4 containers. Every container has different content inside. The first

container has food-storing container, the second container has school material

styrofoam, the third container has plastic bag and the last container has a plastic cup

and all of them consist of 25 worms. There are different measurement of plastic and

styrofoam given to know the limit of the superworms in digesting and it is measured

in centimeter. After preparing the superworms and separating it, the researchers starts

to observe it to prove their study about the effectivity of superworms to digest the

plastic and styrofoam for 5 months.

Materials and Methods

In order to prepare for the experimentation, the things needed were: Gloves, 4

containers, 100 pieces of superworms, Styrofoam and a small size of plastic. Wear the

gloves as you’re going to touch the worms. Put the 100 worms on the container also

put some soil and wood fillings. Isolate 4 set of 25 worms from the mother container

and put them on the other 4 containers together with different kinds of plastic and

styrofoam which is plastic bag, plastic cup, food-storing and school material

styrofoam. Observe the behavior of the superworms for about five months and also if

they will digest the styrofoam and plastic without affecting their health.

12
 Chapter IV

Results and Discussion

In this chapter, data are shown in table form. This data shows the ability of

worms to digest food-storing Styrofoam, school material Styrofoam, plastic bag and

plastic cup.

Table 1

Are the
Month of
worms able
to digest it? February

1 2 3 4
25 worms with Cm given to the
.21 .17 .20 .20
Styrofoam Yes worms
(food-storing)
Cm consumed in .15 .17 .18 .16

Cm given to the
25 worms with .21 .21 .17 .15
Yes worms
Styrofoam
(school material) Cm consumed in .21 .15 .13 .15

Cm given to the
25 worms with .21 .15 .18 .15
Yes worms
plastic
(plastic bag) Cm consumed in .14 .15 .13 .14

Cm given to the
25 worms with .15 .10 .10 .10
worms
plastic Yes
(plastic cup) Cm consumed in .10 .08 .10 .8.5

Table 1 shows the capability of the worms to digest food-storing Styrofoam,

school material Styrofoam, plastic bag and plastic cup for the month of February. The

worms consumed 0.66 cm of food-storing Styrofoam, 0.64 cm of school material

Styrofoam, 0.56 cm of plastic bag, 0.41 cm of plastic cup.

13
Table 2

Are the
worms able Month of March
to digest it?
1 2 3 4
25 worms with Cm given to the
.15 .17 .20 .20
Styrofoam (food- YES worms
storing)
Cm consumed in .15 .16 .18.5 .15

Cm given to the
25 worms with .20 .18 .18 .20
YES worms
Styrofoam
(school material) Cm consumed in .18 .16 .18 .16.5

Cm given to the
25 worms with .17 .17 .15 ..15
YES worms
plastic
(plastic bag) Cm consumed in .15 .14 .14 .12

Cm given to the
25 worms with .12 .11 .10 .10
worms
plastic YES
(plastic cup) Cm consumed in .11 .8 .9 .8.5

Table 2 shows the capability of the worms to digest food-storing Styrofoam,

school material Styrofoam, plastic bag and plastic cup for the month of March. The

worms consumed 0.69 cm of food-storing Styrofoam, 0.73 cm of school material

Styrofoam, 0.55 cm of plastic bag, 0.41 cm of plastic cup.

14
Table 3

Are the
worms able Month of April
to digest it?
1 2 3 4
25 worms with Cm given to the
.20 .18 .18 .20
Styrofoam (food- YES worms
storing)
Cm consumed in .18 .17 .18 .17

Cm given to the
25 worms with .18 .18 .17 .20
YES worms
Styrofoam
(school material) Cm consumed in .18 .15 .17 .19

Cm given to the
25 worms with .14 .16 .15 .14
YES worms
plastic
(plastic bag) Cm consumed in .14 .13 .14 .12

Cm given to the
25 worms with .10 .10 .09 .10
worms
plastic YES
(plastic cup) Cm consumed in .09 .08 .09 .7.5

Table 3 shows the capability of the worms to digest food-storing Styrofoam,

school material Styrofoam, plastic bag and plastic cup for the month of April. The

worms consumed 0.70 cm of food-storing Styrofoam, 0.69 cm of school material

Styrofoam, 0.53 cm of plastic bag, 0.58 cm of plastic cup.

15
Table 4

Are the
worms able Month of May
to digest it?
1 2 3 4
25 worms with Cm given to the
.18 .20 .18 .20
Styrofoam (food- YES worms
storing)
Cm consumed in .18 .16 .18 .19

Cm given to the
25 worms with .20 .18 .20 .20
YES worms
Styrofoam
(school material) Cm consumed in .18 .17 .20 .17

Cm given to the
25 worms with .12 .11 .13 .13
YES worms
plastic
(plastic bag) Cm consumed in .10 .11 .11 .13

Cm given to the
25 worms with .09 .08 .09 .09
worms
plastic YES
(plastic cup) Cm consumed in .07 .08 .06 .09

Table 4 shows the capability of the worms to digest food-storing Styrofoam,

school material Styrofoam, plastic bag and plastic cup for the month of May. The

worms consumed 0.72 cm of food-storing Styrofoam, 0.72 cm of school material

Styrofoam, 0.45 cm of plastic bag, 0.30 cm of plastic cup.

16
Table 5

Are the
worms able Month of June
to digest it?
1 2 3 4
25 worms with Cm given to the
Styrofoam (food- YES .20 .20 .22 .21
worms
storing)
Cm consumed in .18 .20 .20 .20.5

Cm given to the
25 worms with .18 .20 .20 .22
YES worms
Styrofoam
(school material) Cm consumed in .18 .18 .20 .22

Cm given to the
25 worms with .14 .13 .14 .13
YES worms
plastic
(plastic bag) Cm consumed in .12 .13 .12.5 .12

Cm given to the
25 worms with .10 .8 .9 .8
worms
plastic YES
(plastic cup) Cm consumed in .07 .08 .7.5 .08

Table 5 shows the capability of the worms to digest food-storing Styrofoam,

school material Styrofoam, plastic bag and plastic cup for the month of June. The

worms consumed 0.83 cm of food-storing Styrofoam, 0.78 cm of school material

Styrofoam, 0.54 cm of plastic bag, 0.35 cm of plastic cup.

17
Table 6

What are the possible effects of the plastics and Styrofoam to the superworms when
consumed?

Does it affect
Superworms in an controlled
the overall Observation
area
health?

25 SuperWorms with Styrofoam

No
(food-storing)

25 SuperWorms with Styrofoam The super worms are seem to be

No healthy and energetic but what
(school material)
the researcher observed that
25 SuperWorms with plastic there is a decrease in the
No
(plastic bag) appetite of the superworms.
25 SuperWorms with plastic
No
(plastic cup)

Table 6 shows that the researchers also observed that the appetite of

superworms is not consistent, they changed based on the total of cm that were given

to them every week, and the evidence is based upon the results through comparing the

first month up until the last month ingestion by the worms.

18
 Chapter V

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations

Summary

The researchers conducted an experimental research to show the effectivity of

a superworm to digest styrofoam and plastic as an alternative to wheat. They observed

if the superworms will eat it without affecting their health. They accomplished the

observation for 5 months to see the effectiveness of the study.

The purpose of this study is to prove that superworms can safely digest

polystyrene, particularly Styrofoam and plastics. All of the table shows that there are

25 superworms that have been isolated in a 4 different container and the researcher

tried to feed them food storing, school material styrofoam, plastic bag and plastic cup

and are observe if they will be able to ingest Styrofoam. Also, the researchers

measures the ingested part on material in centimeters. They were given different

range and amount of their alternative food to see if they can eat a large quantity as the

day goes by.

After observing the superworms for 5 months, the researchers gather the result

and noticed that they digest different amount of food every month. Overall, the

observation and experimentation are what the researchers expected. The great potency

of superworms as natural plastic and Styrofoam disposer just like the mealworms was

proven based on the numerous experimentations.

19
Conclusion

Based on the series of studies, trials and experimentations, the researchers was

able to prove that the superworm/ Zophobas Morio can consume our waste. The

researchers had proven to verify their objectives by conducting research and

investigations.

After several long process and methods done, the researchers concluded that

this study bears positive result. The superworms/ Zophobas Morio was verified that it

can degrade Styrofoam and plastics. This study has proven to be beneficial as the

worms do not release any toxic wastes as by product.

The primary agents are the superworms/ Zophobas Morio, a larvae of a

darkling beetle and was proven to dispose plastic and Styrofoam which are known to

be vital factors on polluting our bound.

20
Recommendation

The researchers recommend interested future researchers to try providing

favorable environment to the superworms in a way that they will be able to ingest and

digest plastics and Styrofoam without affecting their appetite. Also, the researcher

challenges the future researchers to discover another animals or species that will be

able to ingest and digest plastics.

A similar study can be conducted with a larger sample size, so that one may be

able to use the diverse demographic information when comparing the results.

Future researchers should never exposed superworms directly to water as this

can cause health problems. Keep water out of a superworm's container as much as

possible.

21
Bibliography

Griggs, M. (2015). Mealworms can happily and safely eat styrofoam

Jorda, R. (2015). Plastic-eating worms may offer solution to mounting waste

Ziv, S., (2015). Plastic eating mealworms can safely digest Styrofoam

Immam, J. (2015). Styrofoaam-eating mealworms might help reduce plastic waste

Philipis, A., (2015). The worms can eat Styrofoam

(2017). Zophobas Morio and Low Density Polyethylene

22
Appendices

23
Appendix A

24
25
Appendix B

26
 Adelle Grace Montessori School Inc.
Poblacion, Arayat, Pampanga

Curiculum Vitae

Personal Information

Name: Yvet Ann Melo

Address: #50 Zone 2 Cacutud, Arayat, Pampanga

Birthdate: February 26, 2002

Place of Birth: VI Makabali, San Fernando

Civil Status: Single

Gender: Female

Religion: Iglesia ni Cristo

Name of Parents/Guardian: Efranita Melo

Rodolfo Melo

Level School Year

Mangga Cacutud
Elementary 2007-2013
Elementary School
Justino School High
Junior High School 2013-2017
School

Adelle Grace Montessori

Senior High School 2018-2019
School Inc.

27
 Adelle Grace Montessori School Inc.
Poblacion, Arayat, Pampanga

Curiculum Vitae

Personal Information

Name: Bea Narciso

Address: Zone #6 San Nicolas Arayat Pampanga

Birthdate: March 7, 2001

Place of Birth: Lacquios Arayat, Pampanga

Civil Status: Single

Gender: Female

Religion: Roman Catholic

Name of Parents/Guardian: Beth Narciso

Level School Year

Elementary San Nicolas Arayat School 2007-2013

Justino School High

Junior High School 2013-2017
School

Adelle Grace Montessori

Senior High School 2018-2019
School Inc.

28
 Adelle Grace Montessori School Inc.
Poblacion, Arayat, Pampanga

Curiculum Vitae

Personal Information

Name: Crisalane Ann Paras

Address: Zone #6 San Nicolas Arayat Pampanga

Birthdate: October 22, 2001

Place of Birth: Lacquios Arayat Pampanga

Civil Status: Single

Gender: Female

Religion: Roman Catholic

Name of Parents/Guardian: Angelina Paras

Christroper Paras

Level School Year

Elementary San Nicolas Arayat School 2007-2013

Justino School High

Junior High School 2013-2017
School

Adelle Grace Montessori

Senior High School 2018-2019
School Inc.

29
 Adelle Grace Montessori School Inc.
Poblacion Arayat Pampanga

Curiculum Vitae

Personal Information

Name: Pernusa Buenaventura

Address: Zone #5 San Nicolas Arayat Pampanga

Birthdate: January 4, 2001

Place of Birth: Lacquios Arayat Pampanga

Civil Status: Single

Gender: Female

Religion: Roman Catholic

Name of Parents/Guardian: Diana Buenaventura

Level School Year

Elementary San Nicolas Arayat School 2007-2013

Justino School High

Junior High School 2013-2017
School

Adelle Grace Montessori

Senior High School 2018-2019
School Inc.

30