Current Biology
Volume 27, Issue 15, 7 August 2017, Pages R744-R745
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Polyethylene bio-degradation by caterpillars?

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Summary

In their recent paper on the degradation of polyethylene by caterpillars of the wax moth Galleria melonella, Bombelli et al. [1] report various experiments, including microscopic and spectroscopic data which the authors believe support the chemical digestion of the polymers by these insects. While the biodegradation of mostly inert artificial polymers is definitely a very interesting research field, we must respectfully disagree with the methodology and conclusions from this paper.

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