CLIMATE CAPITAL

Plastic-Eating Insect Species Discovered in Kenya Offers New Hope for Waste Management

Plastic pollution is severe in parts of Africa, driven by high plastic imports and limited recycling. Dr. Fathiya Khamis and her team aim to harness natural “plastic-eaters” to develop faster, more efficient waste solutions.

Published

3 weeks ago

November 11, 2024

Charles Wachira

Dr. Fathiya Khamis, part of a team at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, has discovered that Kenyan lesser mealworm larvae can digest polystyrene with the help of gut bacteria.

: Scientists have discovered mealworms in Kenya capable of digesting polystyrene plastic, potentially providing new tools for tackling global plastic pollution.
By Dr. Fathiya Mbarak Khamis

There’s been an exciting new discovery in the fight against plastic pollution: mealworm larvae that are capable of consuming polystyrene.

They join the ranks of a small group of insects that have been found to be capable of breaking the polluting plastic down, though this is the first time that an insect species native to Africa has been found to do this.

Polystyrene, commonly known as styrofoam, is a plastic material that’s widely used in food, electronic and industrial packaging.

It’s difficult to break down and therefore durable. Traditional recycling methods – like chemical and thermal processing – are expensive and can create pollutants.

This was one of the reasons we wanted to explore biological methods of managing this persistent waste.

I am part of a team of scientists from the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology who have found that the larvae of the Kenyan lesser mealworm can chew through polystyrene and host bacteria in their guts that help break down the material.

The lesser mealworm is the larval form of the Alphitobius darkling beetle. The larval period lasts between 8 and 10 weeks.

The lesser mealworms are mostly found in poultry-rearing houses which are warm and can offer a constant food supply – ideal conditions for them to grow and reproduce.

Though lesser mealworms are thought to have originated in Africa, they can be found in many countries around the world.

The species we identified in our study, however, could be a sub-species of the Alphitobius genus. We are conducting further investigation to confirm this possibility.

Our study also examined the insect’s gut bacteria. We wanted to identify the bacterial communities that may support the plastic degradation process.

Plastic pollution levels are at critically high levels in some African countries. Though plastic waste is a major environmental issue globally, Africa faces a particular challenge due to the high importation of plastic products, low reuse and a lack of recycling of these products.

By studying these natural “plastic-eaters”, we hope to create new tools that help get rid of plastic waste faster and more efficiently.

Instead of releasing a huge number of these insects into trash sites (which isn’t practical), we can use the microbes and enzymes they produce in factories, landfills and cleanup sites. This means plastic waste can be tackled in a way that’s easier to manage at a large scale.

KEY FINDINGS

We carried out a trial, lasting over a month. The larvae were fed either polystyrene alone, bran (a nutrient-dense food) alone, or a combination of polystyrene and bran.

We found that mealworms on the polystyrene-bran diet survived at higher rates than those fed on polystyrene alone.

We also found that they consumed polystyrene more efficiently than those on a polystyrene-only diet. This highlights the benefits of ensuring the insects still had a nutrient-dense diet.

While the polystyrene-only diet did support the mealworms’ survival, they didn’t have enough nutrition to make them efficient in breaking down polystyrene.

This finding reinforced the importance of a balanced diet for the insects to optimally consume and degrade plastic. The insects could be eating the polystyrene because it’s mostly made up of carbon and hydrogen, which may provide them with an energy source.

The mealworms on the polystyrene-bran diet were able to break down approximately 11.7% of the total polystyrene over the trial period.

GUT BACTERIA

The analysis of the mealworm gut revealed significant shifts in the bacterial composition depending on the diet. Understanding these shifts in bacterial composition is crucial because it reveals which microbes are actively involved in breaking down plastic. This will help us to isolate the specific bacteria and enzymes that can be harnessed for plastic degradation efforts.

The guts of polystyrene-fed larvae were found to contain higher levels of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes, bacteria that can adapt to various environments and break down a wide range of complex substances.

Bacteria such as Kluyvera, Lactococcus, Citrobacter and _Klebsiella were also particularly abundant and are known to produce enzymes capable of digesting synthetic plastics. The bacteria won’t be harmful to the insect or to the environment when used at scale.

The abundance of bacteria indicates that they play a crucial role in breaking down the plastic.

This may mean that mealworms may not naturally have the ability to eat plastic. Instead, when they start eating plastic, the bacteria in their guts might change to help break it down. Thus, the microbes in the mealworms’ stomachs can adjust to unusual diets, like plastic.

These findings support our hypothesis that the gut of certain insects can enable plastic degradation. This is likely because the bacteria in their gut can produce enzymes that break down plastic polymers.

This raises the possibility of isolating these bacteria, and the enzymes produced, to create microbial solutions that will address plastic waste on a larger scale.

WHAT’S NEXT

Certain insect species, such as yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and superworms (Zophobas morio), have already demonstrated the ability to consume plastics. They’re able to break down materials like polystyrene with the help of bacteria in their gut.

Our research is unique because it focuses on insect species native to Africa, which have not been extensively studied in the context of plastic degradation.

This regional focus is important because the insects and environmental conditions in Africa may differ from those in other parts of the world, potentially offering new insights and practical solutions for plastic pollution in African settings.

The Kenyan lesser mealworm’s ability to consume polystyrene suggests that it could play a role in natural waste reduction, especially for types of plastic that are resistant to conventional recycling methods.

Future studies could focus on isolating and identifying the specific bacterial strains involved in polystyrene degradation and examining their enzymes.

We hope to figure out if the enzymes can be produced at scale for recycling waste.

Additionally, we may explore other types of plastics to test the versatility of this insect for broader waste management applications.

Scaling up the use of the lesser mealworms for plastic degradation would also require strategies for ensuring insect health over prolonged plastic consumption, as well as evaluating the safety of resulting insect biomass for animal feeds.

Startups & Funding

Top 10 Richest East Africans Under 30: Industries & Net Worth

Published

13 hours ago

December 2, 2024

Charles Wachira

: Discover the top 10 wealthiest East Africans under 30, their industries,
achievements, and estimated net worths. Learn about their remarkable journeys
to success.”

Kenneth M. Njeru (25, Kenya)

○ Engagement: Founder of Africa Afya Healthcare, focusing on healthcare investment services and IT solutions for healthcare access improvement.
○ Industry: Healthtech and healthcare investment.
○ Net Worth: Not publicly disclosed but prominent in healthcare financing in Kenya

Ayushi Chandaria (26, Kenya)

○ Engagement: Founder of Design Thinking Program, fostering innovation in education.
○ Industry: Education and innovation.
○ Net Worth: Not publicly disclosed but recognized for her impactful work in Kenya

Alex Mativo (29, Kenya)

○ Engagement: Co-founder of E-LAB, Nanasi, and Duck, leveraging technology in multiple sectors.
○ Industry: Technology and entrepreneurship.
○ Net Worth: Estimated at several million USD due to diversified ventures
.

Prisca Wegesa Magori (29, Tanzania)

○ Engagement: CEO and Co-founder of TenTen Explore and Smart EFD, providing innovative software solutions.
○ Industry: Technology and software development.
○ Net Worth: Undisclosed but influential in Tanzania’s tech scene

Andrew Ddembe (28, Uganda)

○ Engagement: Co-founder and CEO of MobiKlinic, providing mobile-based healthcare solutions.
○ Industry: Healthtech.
○ Net Worth: Not disclosed but a key figure in Uganda’s health innovation

Arooj Sheikh (28, Kenya)

○ Engagement: Founder and CEO of Beyond Kenyan Bars, working on social justice initiatives.
○ Industry: Social entrepreneurship.
○ Net Worth: Undisclosed, focusing on impactful social change
.

Hildah Magaia (29, Tanzania/South Africa)

○ Engagement: Professional footballer for Mazatlán FC and Tanzania’s national team.
○ Industry: Sports.
○ Net Worth: Significant from sports and endorsements

Chad Jones (28, Kenya/South Africa)

● Engagement: Social media influencer and brand ambassador.
● Industry: Digital media and marketing.
● Net Worth: Not disclosed but has significant brand partnerships

These individuals have demonstrated remarkable entrepreneurship and talent across East Africa, contributing to industries like health, technology, education, sports, and tourism.

CLIMATE CAPITAL

Access Bank Secures CAK Approval for National Bank Acquisition

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2024

Charles Wachira

: Access Bank to acquire National Bank of Kenya for $100M, boosting market
share to 1.9% with CAK approval and workforce retention conditions.

CAK Approves Access Bank’s Acquisition of NBK with Conditions

The Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) approved Access Bank’s acquisition of the
National Bank of Kenya (NBK) from KCB Group, requiring Access Bank to retain 80% of
NBK’s workforce for at least one year.
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) must now give its final approval for the deal.

Employment Retention Key to Approval

According to CAK, Access Bank must maintain 80% of NBK’s 1,384 employees and all
316 staff from its local subsidiary, Access Bank Kenya, for a year following the
transaction’s completion. “The transaction has been approved on condition that Access
Bank Plc retains, for one year, at least 80% of the target’s current workforce,” CAK
stated.

Deal Valuation and Finalization Timeline

While the deal’s value has not been disclosed, KCB Group announced in March 2024
that NBK would be sold for 1.25 times its book value. With NBK’s 2023 book value at
$79.77 million, the acquisition is estimated to be worth approximately $100 million. The
transaction is expected to conclude in November.

Expanding Access Bank’s Kenyan Presence

Access Bank’s current footprint in Kenya includes 23 branches in 12 counties. Acquiring
NBK’s 77 branches across 28 counties will significantly boost its presence and service
offerings, including retail, corporate, and Islamic banking. Access Bank, currently
ranked as a tier 3 lender, will integrate with NBK, a tier 2 institution, enhancing its status
in the market.

The acquisition will give the merged entity a 1.9% market share in Kenya’s banking
sector. “The combined market size is unlikely to raise competition concerns since it is
low,” CAK noted. “The merged entity will face competition from other banks in the
market. Based on this, the transaction is unlikely to substantially lessen or prevent
competition.”

CLIMATE CAPITAL

Patricia Ithau: CEO of WPP-Scangroup, Leading Africa’s Marketing Giant

Published

3 weeks ago

November 14, 2024

Charles Wachira

: She leads WPP-Scangroup PLC, the largest marketing and communication group in sub-Saharan Africa, driving innovation, business growth, and social impact across the region.

Patricia Ithau leads WPP-Scangroup PLC, the largest marketing and communication group in sub-Saharan Africa. She took over as CEO on March 14, 2022, succeeding Bharat Thakrar at the helm of this Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed company.

Under her visionary leadership, WPP-Scangroup continues to redefine the marketing and advertising landscape in East Africa through a multi-agency, multi-disciplinary approach.

Her focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation has positioned the company to drive growth and deliver groundbreaking solutions across the region.

Early Life and Academic Foundation

Patricia’s leadership journey grew from a strong academic foundation.

Patricia Ithau studied at Loreto Convent Msongari in Nairobi before earning her Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi.

Further expanding her knowledge, she earned an MBA in Strategic Management from the United States International University-Africa.

She also completed advanced management programs at prestigious institutions like Strathmore University, IESE Business School, INSEAD, and Oxford University, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in business leadership.

Career Milestones: L’Oréal Africa and Beyond

Before joining WPP-Scangroup, Patricia was the founding CEO of L’Oréal Africa, where she significantly drove the company’s growth and success in the region.

Under her leadership, L’Oréal’s African subsidiary generated $25 million in annual revenue, employed over 270 people, and produced 40 million units annually.

One of her key achievements was leading one of the first acquisitions of a local business by a multinational in East Africa, demonstrating her ability to drive growth and market penetration in the competitive FMCG sector.

Advocacy for Women in Leadership

Patricia has actively championed women in leadership, advocating for creating opportunities that allow women to thrive in the corporate world.

As an Ambassador for the Women on Boards Network (WOBN) in Kenya, she has worked to elevate women into leadership positions.

She holds board positions at organisations such as ABSA Bank Kenya, Jambojet Ltd, Vivo Fashion Group, and the British Chamber of Commerce.

Furthermore, Patricia actively supports corporate governance and social impact as a Trustee for the Vodafone Foundation (UK) and the M-PESA Foundation.

Overcoming Personal Challenges and Building Resilience

In addition to her professional achievements, Patricia’s journey has been marked by resilience.

She was crowned Miss Kenya in 1986 during her first year at the University of Nairobi.

Navigating societal judgments and stereotypes during this period helped shape her leadership abilities, teaching her invaluable lessons in self-confidence and perseverance.

Recognition and Awards

Patricia’s contributions to Kenya’s economic growth and development have not gone unnoticed.

In 2020, she was awarded the Head of State Commendation (HSC) for her outstanding role in business development.

Patricia is also an accredited executive coach and certified Emotional Intelligence practitioner, emphasising her commitment to fostering future leaders who embrace emotional intelligence and holistic leadership practices.

Patricia’s leadership extends beyond the corporate world.

As East Africa Regional Director for the Stanford Institute for Innovation in Development Economies (SEED), Patricia has driven sustainable business growth and job creation across sub-Saharan Africa.

Through SEED, she has supported over 200 businesses in tackling leadership challenges and fostering innovation, contributing significantly to the region’s economic transformation.

Family and Personal Values

Patricia is also deeply committed to her family.

She proudly raises her two daughters, Mueni and Makena, instilling in them the values of hard work and resilience.

Her role as a mother aligns with her broader mission of mentoring and guiding the next generation of leaders.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation

Patricia Ithau leads with vision, innovation, and a strong commitment to social sustainability, from her strategic achievements at L’Oréal Africa to her current role as CEO of WPP-Scangroup.

Her dedication to advancing women in leadership, her contributions to the business community, and her efforts in developing future leaders make her a lasting influence on Africa’s corporate sector, inspiring and driving progress across the region.