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In this study, natural extracts of plant origin were used as anti-aging compounds of biodegradable polymers. Coffee (0.5–10 wt%), cocoa, or cinnamon extracts were added to the polylactide matrix. The obtained materials were subjected to an accelerated aging process (720, 1440, or 2160 h) at 45 °C and 70% relative humidity under continuous UV radiation. The effectiveness of the tested extracts was compared to a commercially available anti-aging compound, 2 wt% of butylated hydroxytoluene. Visual evaluation, scanning electron microscopy, melt flow rate, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, tensile strength, and impact tensile tests were performed. We show that the use of smaller amounts of tested extracts is particularly advantageous, which do not adversely affect the properties of polylactide-based materials at low contents. At the same time, their effectiveness in stabilizing tested properties during the accelerated aging process is mostly comparable to or greater than the reference compound.

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There are presented results of investigation of electrostatic separation of binary mixtures containing a biodegradable polymer {polylactide (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), or poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3,4HB)]} and a commonly used polymer [poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)]. It was found that the binary mixtures of these polymers could be efficiently separated. The electrostatic separation process of the P(3,4HB)/PET mixture appeared to be most successful. It is indicated that the share of a biodegradable component in the mixture essentially influences the separation effects. Therefore, suitable choice of necessary conditions is needed to perform the separation process, which includes appropriate separator settings, depending on fractions of individual components in the mixture being separated.

Effect of low temperature plasma treatment on mortality of several microorganisms, Penicillium chrysogenum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Aspergillus fumigatus, Fusarium culmorum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, deposited on polylactide (PLA) surface, was investigated. After the PLA surface was modified, fungal spores were counted and the degree of bacterial reduction was determined. Images of specimens’ surface, reflecting the effect of the low temperature plasma on particular microorganisms, were obtained by using a digital camera, polarizing microscope, epi‐fluorescence microscope, and scanning electron microscope. The low temperature plasma causes mortality of microorganisms as a result of cell membrane cracking.

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