Preparation of poly(L-lactide) blends and biodegradation by Lentzea waywayandensis

Biotechnol Lett. 2012 Nov;34(11):2031-5. doi: 10.1007/s10529-012-1005-5. Epub 2012 Jul 14.

Abstract

As a biodegradable polyester, polylactide (PLA) has applications as a packaging material, in biomedical fields and tissue engineering. With the dual aim of improving its properties and biodegradability, PLA was blended with other polymers such as gum arabic, thermoplastic starch, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol and polyhydroxy butyrate in 1:1 (w/w) by melt-blending technique. The thermal properties of the blends were compared with that of unblended PLA by thermo-gravimetric analysis. Biodegradation using Lentzea waywayandensis was in the order of PLA-gum arabic > PLA-thermoplastic starch > PLA(virgin) > PLA-microcrystalline cellulose > PLA-polyethylene glycol > PLA-polyhydroxy butyrate. Weight loss of 99 % (w/w) was noted within 4 days for PLA-thermoplastic starch and PLA-gum arabic blends.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actinomycetales / metabolism*
  • Biodegradation, Environmental*
  • Cellulose / chemistry
  • Gum Arabic / chemistry
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Lactic Acid / metabolism
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Polyesters / metabolism*
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry
  • Thermogravimetry

Substances

  • Polyesters
  • Lactic Acid
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • poly(lactide)
  • Gum Arabic
  • Cellulose
  • microcrystalline cellulose