Abstract
Degradability of syndiotactic poly ([R]--hydroxybutyrate) (syn-PHB), a chemically synthesized PHB, was investigated in this
study by incubation of the polymer films in a soil of northeastern China. During incubation, progressive weight loss of the syn-PHB films
and a corresponding decrease of molecular weight were observed over the 90 days of incubation indicating the biodegradation of syn-PHB
and a random cleavage of the ester bonds. Microorganisms isolated and identified from the partially degraded films included Pseudomonas
spp., Alcaligenese sp., and Comamonas sp.. Our results suggest that chemically synthesized syn-PHB is biodegradable under aerobic
conditions in soil.
study by incubation of the polymer films in a soil of northeastern China. During incubation, progressive weight loss of the syn-PHB films
and a corresponding decrease of molecular weight were observed over the 90 days of incubation indicating the biodegradation of syn-PHB
and a random cleavage of the ester bonds. Microorganisms isolated and identified from the partially degraded films included Pseudomonas
spp., Alcaligenese sp., and Comamonas sp.. Our results suggest that chemically synthesized syn-PHB is biodegradable under aerobic
conditions in soil.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 43-46 |
| Journal | Applied Environmental Biotechnology |
| State | Published - 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- biodegradable plastics
- polyhydroxyalkanoates
- soil test
- synthetic
- biodegradability