Biodegradation of polylactide in aerobic and anaerobic thermophilic conditions
Abstract
Biodegradable polymers are designed to resist a number of environmental factors during use, but to be biodegradable under disposal conditions. The biodegradation of polylactide (PLLA) was studied at different elevated temperatures in both aerobic and anaerobic, aquatic and solid state conditions. In the aerobic aquatic headspace test the mineralisation of PLLA was very slow at room temperature, but faster under thermophilic conditions. The clear effect of temperature on the biodegradability of PLLA in the aquatic tests indicates that its polymer structure has to be hydrolysed before microorganisms can utilise it as a nutrient source. At similar elevated temperatures, the biodegradation of PLLA was much faster in anaerobic solid state conditions than in aerobic aquatic conditions. The behaviour of PLLA in the natural composting process was similar to that in the aquatic biodegradation tests, biodegradation starting only after the beginning of the thermophilic phase. These results indicate that PLLA can be considered as a compostable material, being stable during use at mesophilic temperatures, but degrading rapidly during waste disposal in compost or anaerobic treatment facilities.
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PLA and PLLA could be degraded by soil bacteria in aquatic conditions, up to 90% after 60 days for PLA and 50% after 40 days for PLLA.
“showed that PLA and PLLA, respectively, could be degraded by soil bacteria in aquatic conditions (up to 90% after 60 days for PLA and 50% after 40 days for PLLA).[477][478][479]”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [479]
Faster mineralization of PLLA was demonstrated in thermophilic conditions because of the close proximity of experimental temperatures to the Tg of PLLA.
“Moreover, faster mineralization of PLLA was demonstrated in thermophilic conditions because of the close proximity of experimental temperatures to the Tg of PLLA.479”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [479]
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- Authors
- Itävaara, M., Karjomaa, S., & Selin, J.-F.
- Affiliations
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (FI)
- Fortum (Finland) (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Itävaara, Merja
- ORCID
- Itävaara, Merja
- Venue
- Chemosphere
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-02
- Volume
- 46
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 879-885
- ISSN
- 0045-6535 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2034619811
- Cited by
- 269
- References
- 23
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 3.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Chemosphere (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Tekes
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Composting and Vermicomposting Techniques
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
- Keywords
- polylactic acid, biodegradation, thermophilic conditions, aerobic biodegradation, anaerobic biodegradation, composting, biodegradable polymers, polymer hydrolysis, mineralization, high temperature
- MeSH terms
- Bacteria, Aerobic, Bacteria, Anaerobic, Biodegradation, Environmental, Polymers, Temperature, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Lactic Acid
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