Environmental Degradation of the Blends of Natural Poly (3-Hydroxybutyrate-CO-3-Hydroxyvalerate) and Atactic Poly(R,S)-3-Hydroxybutanoic Acid

摘要

The paper shows the results of the biodegradation of blends of natural poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and atactic poly[(R,S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] (a-PHB) in compost with activated sludge under natural conditions at sewage farm. Environmental degradation of these blends was monitored for 6 weeks. The changes in macroscopic observations of surface, the weight loss of the samples and the normalized weight loss were monitored during experiments performed. The experimental parameters of compost were also controlled during incubation time and their influence on the rate of biodegradation is discussed. The results of the present study revealed that natural poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate)s and their blends with synthetic atactic poly [(R,S)-3-hydroxybutanoic acid] degrade in natural environment very fast, and the rate of biodegradation process depends on their composition.