A respirometric method to measure mineralization of polymeric materials in a matured compost environment

Biodegradability of plastics: the pitfalls

“…The methods can be chosen from the very sensitive electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for persistent plastics to use gravimetry or respirometry for easily degradable products (Gu et al, 1996a, b). Respirometry can yield mineralization of the plastic materials if properly handled with inoculation of microorganisms together with parallel controls in the same set of experimental set up (Gross et al, 1995;Gu et al, 1993).…”

“…For example, polyethylene has a chemical structure of -(CH 2 -CH 2 ) n -, its molecular weight will determine the degradability and degradation rate whether degradable or non-degradable. Furthermore, the purity of the materials in product forms is an unavoidable issue and critically important information, but many investigators used commercially available products rather than pure resin to cast or mold their specimens for research investigation without acknowledging the fact that products contain a range of chemicals, including plasticizer, filler and colorant etc in addition to the backbone polymers (Gu, 2003;Gu et al, 1993;1996a, b). In this context, processing of polymers into products requires the addition of plasticizer, filler and molding chemicals so that the expected products can be made successfully.…”

Resistance of Conifer Needle Polyolefin Composites (CNPCs) Against Biodecomposition Caused by Fungi

“…One of them can be successfully used in the biodegradation detection e.g. scanning electron microscopy (SEM), weight loss or respirometry (for mineralization indicate) [13][14][15]. Others can also evaluate the effects and degree of biodegradation caused by microorganism growth e.g.…”

Microbial Degradation of Materials: General Processes

“…Direct utilization of natural polymeric materials by microorganisms can also proceed at a high rate because of their structural similarities to other biological materials [34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41]. Microbial degradation of complex (high-molecular-weight) polymers is most likely mediated by extracellular depolymerases because the molecular sizes of these polymers are too large to penetrate through cellular membranes for effective assimilation.…”