Abstract
The biodegradability of lactic acid based polymers was studied under
controlled composting conditions (CEN prEN 14046), and the quality of the
compost was evaluated. Poly(lactic acids), poly(ester-urethanes), and
poly(ester-amide) were synthesized and the effects of different structure
units were investigated. The ecotoxicological impact of compost samples was
evaluated by biotests, i.e., by the Flash test, measuring the inhibition of
light production of Vibrio fischeri, and by plant growth tests with cress,
radish, and barley. All the polymers biodegraded to over 90% of the positive
control in 6 months, which is the limit set by the CEN standard. Toxicity
was detected in poly(ester-urethane) samples where chain linking of lactic
acid oligomers had been carried out with 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate
(HMDI). Both the Flash test and the plant growth tests indicated equal
response to initial HMDI concentration in the polymer. All other polymers,
including poly(ester-urethane) chain linked with 1,4-butane diisocyanate,
showed no toxicological effect.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 445-455 |
| Journal | Biomacromolecules |
| Volume | 3 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- biodegradation
- polymers
- composting
- plastics
- waste management
- dumping sites
