P3HB - HYDAL POINT

PHAs are fully biodegradable

PHAsPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable polyesters. As in many mammals, including humans, that hold … More have the highest potential among all bioplasticsBioplastics (as defined by European Bioplastics e.V.) is a term used to define two different kinds of plastics: • Plastics based on renewable resour… More due to their easy and well shown biodegradability. The biodegradability of PHAsPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable polyesters. As in many mammals, including humans, that hold … More has been studied for decades. But what does it mean “biodegradableBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.”? We might imagine a plastic bag slowly disappearing in the ocean, but it is not the whole story. Let’s get more proper picture about the biodegradability.

What does “biodegradable” mean?

The principle of biodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. is based on the activity of living organisms in the degradation process. The microorganisms are the actors of biodegradability in the most cases. Here we focus on the biodegradability of polymers.

If something is biodegradableBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi., it does not mean it can be littered into the environment without regrets. No waste should get into free ecosystems.

The word “biodegradableBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.” should never stand alone. It is meaningless, if not specified WHERE the material is biodegradableBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi..

The biodegradability is influenced by the conditions of the environment and the properties of the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits..

Environment

Fresh and waste water
Soil
Marine environment
Industrial compostingIndustrial composting is an established process with commonly agreed upon requirements (e.g. temperature, timeframe) for transforming biodegradable wa… More
Home composting
Landfill
Aerobic
Anaerobic

Environmental Conditions

The microorganisms
Temperature
Moisture
pH
O2 content
Other carbon source availability
UV radiation
Salinity
etc.

Polymer Properties

Chemical formulation
Particle size
Surface properties
Shape of the particle
Porosity
Crystallinity
Molecular weight
PolymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. processing
Impurities
Additives

Scheme 1: The biodegradability is influenced by the conditions of the environment and the properties of the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits.. ^1-6

References

¹Volova, T., E. Shishatskaya, N. Zhila, et al., Eds. New Generation Formulations of Agrochemicals. New York: Apple Academic Press, 2020.

²Fernandes, M., A. Salvador, M. M. Alves and A. A. Vicente. Factors affecting polyhydroxyalkanoates biodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. in soil. Polymer Degradation and Stability. 2020, 182: 109408. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2020.109408.

³Dilkes-Hoffman, L. S., P. A. Lant, B. Laycock and S. Pratt. The rate of biodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. of PHA bioplasticsBioplastics (as defined by European Bioplastics e.V.) is a term used to define two different kinds of plastics: • Plastics based on renewable resour… More in the marine environment: A meta-study. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2019, 142: 15-24. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.020.

⁴Manna, A. and A. K. Paul. Degradation of microbial polyester poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in environmental samples and in culture. BiodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.. 2000, 11(5): 323-329. doi: 10.1023/A:1011162624704.

⁵Kim, M.-N., A.-R. Lee, J.-S. Yoon and I.-J. Chin. BiodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), Sky-Green® and Mater-Bi® by fungi isolated from soils. European PolymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Journal. 2000, 36(8): 1677-1685. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0014-3057(99)00219-0.

⁶Šerá, J., L. Serbruyns, B. De Wilde and M. Koutný. Accelerated biodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. testing of slowly degradable polyesters in soil. PolymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. Degradation and Stability. 2020, 171: 109031. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2019.109031.