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Effect of Oligomers Derived from Biodegradable Polyesters on Eco- and Neurotoxicity
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Researchers evaluated the toxicity of biodegradable polyester polycaprolactone (PCL) and its synthetic degradation products (oligocaprolactones) on freshwater microorganisms, marine algae, and mammalian cells. While the intact PCL polymer showed no adverse effects, shorter oligomers and monomers at higher concentrations damaged tested organisms, suggesting that degradation products of biodegradable plastics warrant toxicity assessment alongside the parent materials.
Biodegradable polymers are eco-friendly materials and have attracted attention for use in a sustainable society because they are not accumulated in the environment. Although the characteristics of biodegradable polymers have been assessed well, the effects of their degradation products have not. Herein, we comprehensively evaluated the chemical toxicities of biodegradable polyester, polycaprolactone (PCL), and synthetic oligocaprolactones (OCLs) with different degrees of polymerization. While the PCL did not show any adverse effects on various organisms, high levels of shorter OCLs and the monomer (1 μg/mL for freshwater microorganisms and 1 mg/mL for marine algae and mammalian cells) damaged the tested organisms, including freshwater microorganisms, marine algae, and mammalian cells, which indicated the toxicities of the degradation products under unnaturally high concentrations. These results highlight the need for a further understanding of the effects of the degradation products resulting from biodegradable polyesters to ensure a genuinely sustainable society.
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Researchers tracked the hydrolytic degradation of polycaprolactone, a biodegradable plastic, over 132 days and identified the smallest breakdown fractions produced. They found that the degradation generated both nanoplastic-sized particles and soluble oligomers, and tested their toxicity on aquatic primary producers including algae. The study suggests that even biodegradable plastics can release potentially harmful nano-sized fragments as they break down in the environment.
A review on the release and environmental effects of biodegradable plastic degradation products
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This review examined the ecotoxicity of biodegradable plastic (BP) degradation products including micro(nano)plastics, oligomers, and monomers, highlighting that BPs fragment more rapidly in natural environments than conventional plastics due to their unstable molecular structures. The authors emphasized that most studies have focused on short-term, high-concentration polylactic acid exposures, while overlooking wider varieties of oligomers, monomers, and long-term impacts, calling for deeper investigation of the complex and potentially greater ecological risks posed by BP degradation products.
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This study developed methods to detect and quantify plastic polyester oligomers in food and environmental samples, and assessed their biological effects, contributing to understanding of chemical risks from plastic degradation products beyond bulk microplastic particles.
Generation and characterization of secondary nanoplastics and oligomers from PBAT and their toxicity towards the freshwater microalga C. reinhardtii
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Researchers generated and characterized secondary nanoplastics and oligomers from biodegradable PBAT plastic to assess their ecotoxicological effects compared to conventional plastic counterparts. The study found that biodegradable plastics also release nanoscale particles with measurable toxic effects.
Generation and characterization of secondary nanoplastics and oligomers from PBAT and their toxicity towards the freshwater microalga C. reinhardtii
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This study generated and characterized secondary nanoplastics and oligomers from biodegradable PBAT polymers, examining whether biodegradable plastics produce hazardous nanoscale breakdown products. Biodegradable PBAT was found to generate nanoplastics and oligomers during degradation, raising concern that these materials are not environmentally benign despite their biodegradable classification.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.