title: Environmental degradation of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates and oil palm-based composites.
abstract: This paper investigates the degradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates and its biofiber composites in both soil and lake environment. Time-dependent changes in the weight loss of films were monitored. The rate of degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)], poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-23 mol% 4HB)] and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB-co-9 mol% 3HV-co-19 mol% 4HB)] were investigated. The rate of degradation in the lake is higher compared to that in the soil. The highest rate of degradation in lake environment (15.6% w/w week(-1)) was observed with P(3HB-co-3HV-co-4HB) terpolymer. Additionally, the rate of degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-38 mol% 3HV)] was compared to PHBV biofiber composites containing compatibilizers and empty fruit bunch (EFB). Here, composites with 30% EFB displayed the highest rate of degradation both in the lake (25.6% w/w week(-1)) and soil (15.6% w/w week(-1)) environment.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Minden, Penang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Y S
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Salim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharon
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vigneswari
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Mohamad Ibrahim
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Amirul
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010938:Plant Oils; D054813:Polyhydroxyalkanoates; D000073878:Palm Oil