A recent scientific study has revealed a natural substance produced by the cellophane bee to line its underground nests, possessing properties that contribute to degradation within months. This makes it a promising model for developing alternatives to traditional plastic that combine durability, flexibility, and biodegradability, helping to reduce environmental pollution.
Material properties and degradation
Researchers from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Virginia Tech in the United States, in a study published electronically yesterday, Tuesday, in the journal "Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences" (PNAS), stated that the cellophane bee (Colletes inaequalis) produces a transparent and flexible material composed of polyester and silk, which it uses to protect the cells where it lays its eggs.
The researchers clarified that this material does not accumulate at bee nesting sites despite successive generations returning annually, prompting them to study its chemical composition and properties. Analyses showed that the percentage of polyester in the nest lining decreases from about 73 percent to 40 percent over four months of being in the soil, while cracks begin to appear on it after seven months, and it becomes brittle and crumbly after about 11 months.
Industrial development potential
The study showed that the material possesses high flexibility when produced and maintains its shape when folded and pressed. These properties make it a natural model that can be utilized in developing plastic materials that retain their durability and flexibility during use, then degrade after disposal. Analyses also revealed the presence of enzymes capable of breaking down some of the chemical bonds forming the material, along with properties in its crystalline structure that may play a role in accelerating its degradation process.
Researchers pointed out that understanding the natural mechanisms responsible for the degradation of this polyester could help design new plastic materials that mimic the properties of polyethylene, widely used in the production of shopping bags and packaging materials, with the possibility of improving their biodegradability in the environment.
The cellophane bee, a type of solitary wild bee living in North America and building its nests in the soil, is characterized by producing a transparent, cellophane-like material distinguished by its flexibility, moisture resistance, and ability to degrade in the soil over time.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
Comments (0)