Biomaterial Database

Anaerobic biodegradation of disposable PLA-based products: Assessing the correlation with physical, chemical and microstructural properties. 2023

Maria Paola Bracciale, and Giorgia De Gioannis, and Marica Falzarano, and Aldo Muntoni, and Alessandra Polettini, and Raffaella Pomi, and Andreina Rossi, and Fabrizio Sarasini, and Jacopo Tirillò, and Tatiana Zonfa

DICMA Department, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Roma, Italy.

In the present study commercial Polylactic Acid-based disposable cups and plates were selected for lab scale anaerobic degradability tests. The experiments were carried out under thermophilic conditions at different inoculum to substrate ratios and test material sizes, and the specific biogas production and associated kinetics were evaluated. Maximum biogas production was comparable for almost all the experimental runs (1620 and 1830 NmL/gTOCPLA) and a biodegradation degree in the range 86-100% was attained. Moreover, physical, chemical and microscopical analyses were used to characterize the tested materials before and after the degradation. The products composition was assessed and the presence of some additives (mainly Ca-based) was detected. Potential correlations among the process parameters and product composition were derived and a delay in process kinetics with increasing amount of additives embedded in the polymeric matrix was observed, confirming the relevant influence of the chemical blend on the biodegradation process.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D011091	Polyesters	Polymers of organic acids and alcohols, with ester linkages--usually polyethylene terephthalate; can be cured into hard plastic, films or tapes, or fibers which can be woven into fabrics, meshes or velours.	Polyester
D011108	Polymers	Compounds formed by the joining of smaller, usually repeating, units linked by covalent bonds. These compounds often form large macromolecules (e.g., BIOPOLYMERS; PLASTICS).	Polymer
D000693	Anaerobiosis	The complete absence, or (loosely) the paucity, of gaseous or dissolved elemental oxygen in a given place or environment. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed)	Anaerobic Metabolism,Anaerobic Metabolisms,Anaerobioses,Metabolism, Anaerobic,Metabolisms, Anaerobic
D001673	Biodegradation, Environmental	Elimination of ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS; PESTICIDES and other waste using living organisms, usually involving intervention of environmental or sanitation engineers.	Bioremediation,Phytoremediation,Natural Attenuation, Pollution,Environmental Biodegradation,Pollution Natural Attenuation
D056804	Biofuels	Hydrocarbon-rich byproducts from the non-fossilized BIOMASS that are combusted to generate energy as opposed to fossilized hydrocarbon deposits (FOSSIL FUELS).	Biodiesel,Biofuel,Biofuel Oils,Biogas,Biodiesels,Biofuel Oil,Oil, Biofuel,Oils, Biofuel