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Evaluating the Ready Biodegradability of Biodegradable Plastics.
Ryosuke Nabeoka1, Hisako Suzuki1, Yuya Akasaka1
1Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan.
Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
|May 18, 2021
Summary
Eight biodegradable plastics were tested for ready biodegradability. Four plastics met the criteria, while others showed potential with adjusted testing conditions, highlighting the need for extended evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Polymer Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Standardized data on the ready biodegradability of plastics is limited, hindering environmental burden reduction and safety assessments.
- Assessing plastic biodegradability is crucial for addressing global environmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the ready biodegradability of eight different biodegradable plastics using OECD test guideline 301F.
- To investigate the impact of extended test durations (up to 90 days) on plastic biodegradability assessment.
- To explore the influence of test concentration on the biodegradability results of specific plastics.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guideline 301F with nonspecific bacteria to assess ready biodegradability.
- Extended the standard test duration to a maximum of 90 days for a comprehensive evaluation.
- Examined the effect of varying test concentrations, particularly lower concentrations, on biodegradation percentages.
Main Results:
- Polyamide 4, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), polycaprolactone, and poly(butylene succinate adipate) (PBSA) demonstrated ready biodegradability (>60% by day 28).
- Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid-co-3-hydroxyvaleric acid) (PHBV), and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) showed biodegradation but did not meet ready biodegradability criteria; lower concentrations may enable them to meet criteria.
- Poly(d,l-lactide) (PLA) exhibited no significant biodegradation. Biodegradation percentages for most plastics increased from day 28 to day 60, suggesting longer test periods are beneficial.
Conclusions:
- Four of the eight tested plastics meet the criteria for ready biodegradability under standard conditions.
- Extended testing durations (up to 60 days) provide a more accurate assessment of plastic environmental persistence.
- Optimizing test conditions, such as concentration and inoculum, may be necessary for accurate biodegradability assessment of certain plastics like PHB, PHBV, and PBS.
