Biodegradability Steps

Biodegradability steps

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1) Biofilm Formation

In this phase the microorganisms attach to the surface of the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. and adapt their metabolism for polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. degradation and utilization. Microorganisms form a beneficial community attached and protected by cover from polysaccharides and proteins forming a resistant biofilm.

There are two different types of microorganisms in biodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.:

Microorganisms that can attach to the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. and directly degrade it.
Microorganisms, that cannot degrade the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. itself, but they benefit from the activity of the first group.²

The surface properties (size, roughness), crystallinity, chemical structure etc. define how easily microorganisms attach to the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. surface.

2) Depolymerization

Extracellular depolymerases produced by the microorganisms cleave the bonds of the polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. molecules. Shorter chains – oligomers, and monomers are the result.

3) Bioasimilation

Small molecules can be absorbed by the microorganisms and used for building of the microbial cell or energy conversion. This conversion is called mineralization.¹

The result of the biodegradationBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. is microbial biomassMaterial of biological origin excluding material embedded in geological formations and material transformed to fossilised material. This includes orga… More, CO₂ in case of aerobic degradation or CH₄ in anaerobic conditions.

BiodegradableBiodegradation is the breakdown of organic matter by microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. polymerA polymer is a substance or material consisting of very large molecules, or macromolecules, composed of many repeating subunits. is the one, which is fully mineralized. However, many methods for biodegradability measurements do not cover all the steps of biodegradability.

Learn more about How is biodegradability measured.

References

¹Dilkes-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 PHAPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable polyesters. As in many mammals, including humans, that hold … More 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.

²Meereboer, K. W., M. Misra and A. K. Mohanty. Review of recent advances in the biodegradability of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHAPolyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) or the polyhydroxy fatty acids, are a family of biodegradable polyesters. As in many mammals, including humans, that hold … More) 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 and their composites. Green Chemistry. 2020, 22(17): 5519-5558. doi