Biodegradability Study of Modified Chitosan Films with Cinnamic Acid and Ellagic Acid in Soil

Area of Science:

• Biopolymer degradation
• Environmental microbiology
• Mycology

Background:

• Natural polymers with bactericidal properties are increasingly popular.
• Enriching biodegradable polymers with bactericides can impede soil biodegradation.
• Chitosan films modified with cinnamic and ellagic acids present a biodegradation challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of Trichoderma fungi in degrading chitosan films containing cinnamic and ellagic acids.
• To investigate the role of Trichoderma isolates in soil biodegradation processes.
• To evaluate the enzymatic activities of Trichoderma strains relevant to polymer degradation.

Main Methods:

• Soil incubation experiments with modified chitosan films.
• Measurement of oxygen consumption to assess microbial respiratory activity.
• Assay of lipolytic and chitinase activities of Trichoderma isolates.

Main Results:

• Two Trichoderma strains (T.07, T.14) utilized chitosan films as a nutrient source.
• Phenolic acids, especially cinnamic acid, reduced fungal respiratory activity.
• Trichoderma application significantly increased soil oxygen consumption during biodegradation.
• Isolates T.07 and T.14 exhibited high lipolytic and chitinase activities.
• Chitinase activity was enhanced in soil samples treated with T.07, T.14, and their consortium.

Conclusions:

• Trichoderma isolates, particularly T.07 and T.14, can facilitate the biodegradation of chitosan films with bactericidal additives.
• These fungi possess significant lipolytic and chitinase activities crucial for polymer breakdown.
• Application of Trichoderma holds potential for improving the environmental fate of modified chitosan materials.