What is the introduction of Biodegradable Plastic Polymer?

Biodegradable plastic polymer is a polymer that can degrade naturally, which is a good option for the environment. These polymers are derived from renewable resources such as corn starch, sugarcane and cassava.

There are many different biodegradable plastic polymers that can be used for different applications. These polymers have been developed using a range of different processes.

First the polymer is modified with chemicals that make it more able to break down in a natural environment. This can include irradiation, oxidation and hydrolysis of the polymer.

Then the polymer is treated with enzymes that break it down by a series of steps. These steps include oxidation, photodegradation, hydrolysis and degradation by microorganisms (biodegradation).
Abiotic processes break down long-chain polymers into smaller chains called oligomers. This is followed by the bioassimilation and mineralization of these oligomers by microorganisms.

Several studies have reported that the rate of biodegradation of a biodegradable plastic depends on the temperature. The most effective temperature for biodegradation has been determined to be around 70 C, though some abiotic mechanisms are favored at lower temperatures as well.

Among the most widely studied biodegradable plastics are polylactic acid (PLA), a starch-based thermoplastic from corn, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a polymer derived from bacteria that thrive in a glucose-controlled environment. While PHB can be degraded by many microorganisms in nature, it is not as readily biodegradable as some other biodegradable polymers.