Biodegradation and Non-Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA12/88 and PLGA6/94)

Abstract

The predicted growth in plastic demand and the targets for global CO2 emission reductions require a transition to replace fossil-based feedstock for polymers and a transition to close- loop recyclable, and in some cases to, biodegradable polymers. The global crisis in terms of plastic littering will furthermore force a transition towards materials that will not linger in nature but will degrade over time in case they inadvertently end up in nature. Efficient systems for studying polymer (bio)degradation are therefore required. In this research, the Respicond parallel respirometer was applied to polyester degradation studies. Two poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolyesters (PLGA12/88 and PLGA6/94) were tested and shown to mineralise faster than cellulose over 53 days at 25 °C in soil: 37% biodegradation for PLGA12/88, 53% for PLGA6/94, and 30% for cellulose. The corresponding monomers mineralised much faster than the polymers. The methodology presented in this article makes (bio)degradability studies as part of a materials development process economical and, at the same time, time-efficient and of high scientific quality. Additionally, PLGA12/88 and PLGA6/94 were shown to non-enzymatically hydrolyse in water at similar rates, which is relevant for both soil and marine (bio)degradability.

PLA Nanofibers for Microenvironmental-Responsive Quercetin Release in Local Periodontal Treatment

“…It should be noted that the slope of the release curve at pH 4.8 was about two times higher than that at pH 6.8, as the acidic pH induced a faster release of the drug captured in the bulk polymer fiber. Indeed, the acidic environment catalyzes the degradation of bulk material, resulting in accelerated hydrolysis of the ester linkages in the interior of the fiber with increases in drug release [ 40 ].…”

The Road to Bring FDCA and PEF to the Market

“…While for energy, many renewable options are available, for materials next to biomass, CO 2 is the only other renewable carbon source. Avantium’s Volta Technology, an important technological step within carbon capture and utilization (CCU), is an electrocatalytic platform that converts CO 2 into chemical building blocks and high-value products such as the polyester monomers oxalic acid and glycolic acid [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Finally, Avantium is applying its new plant-based and CO 2 -based building block opportunities by developing and evaluating novel and improved polymer products for the plastic materials of the future.…”

Overcoming the low reactivity of biobased, secondary diols in polyester synthesis

“…A Respicond respirometer was used for determining the biodegradability of PIsSu, details of the method were described in a recent publication 27 . Briefly, biodegradation tests were performed in the dark, in closed 250 mL vessels which were maintained at 25 °C.…”