Biodegradation of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Produced from Cupriavidus necator with Different Concentrations of Oleic Acid as Nutritional Supplement

• Published in: Journal of polymers and the environment Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 401 - 406
• Main Authors: Schneider, A. L. S, Silva, D. D, Garcia, M. C. F, Grigull, V. H, Mazur, L. P, Furlan, S. A, Aragão, G. F, Pezzin, A. P. T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Boston : Springer US 01.09.2010; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acids; Biodegradable materials; biodegradation; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cupriavidus necator; differential scanning calorimetry; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental impact; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Kinetics; Materials Science; oleic acid; Original Paper; Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Biodegradation; Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate); Differential scanning calorimetry; Oleic acid
• ISSN: 1566-2543; 1572-8919; 1572-8900
• DOI: 10.1007/s10924-010-0184-1

The environmental impact caused by the disposal of plastics has motivated the development of biodegradable materials. Recent studies showed that supplementation with oleic acid (OA) in cultures producing poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), P(3HB), increased the polymer productivity. However only few studies have shown the properties and biodegradation profile of the polymer obtained. This research investigated the influence of OA concentration on the biodegradation of the P(3HB) obtained from cultures of Cupriavidus necator. The crystallinity of the casting films determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was reduced from 70% (0 g L⁻¹ of OA) to 52% (3.0 g L⁻¹ of OA). A reduction of 11 °C in the melting temperature was observed with 3.0 g L⁻¹ of OA. The kinetic of biodegradation was: 3.0 > 1.5 > 0.9 > 0.3 > 0 g L⁻¹ of OA.