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Marine (Bio)degradation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates and Polylactides
Summary
Researchers reviewed the marine biodegradation of polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactides, examining how water absorption and hydrolytic mechanisms govern degradation kinetics for these bio-sourced polyesters and assessing whether their "biodegradable" label holds up in real ocean conditions.
Given the wide variety of polyesters available today, this chapter focuses on two types: polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and polylactides (PLAs). PHAs and PLAs are currently among the most studied and promising polymers, since they can be both biosourced and biodegradable under certain conditions. The physicochemical properties of PHAs depend on their chemical composition, which in turn is influenced by the nature of the carbon source used for bacterial growth and PHA. Polyesters, such as PHAs or PLAs, are particularly sensitive to water. Knowledge of water absorption at the surface of these polymers, as well as water diffusion processes, is crucial for assessing and understanding hydrolytic degradation mechanisms and kinetics. In the current context of plastic pollution of seas and oceans, numerous studies have been carried out on the degradation of biodegradable polymers such as PLAs and PHAs in the marine environment.