Biodegradable Polymer
Biodegradable polymers
Biodegradable polymers are those polymer which get decomposed
by the process of biodegradation. Biodegradation is defined as a
process carried out by biological systems usually fungi or bacteria
where in a polymer chain is cleaved via enzymatic activity.
OR
Biodegradable polymers is those type of polymers which get
decomposed under either an aerobic or anaerobic condition with
the help of microorganism/enzymes into simpler units and are
called biodegradable polymers.
Examples- starch, cellulose, proteins, DNA, RNA etc. The functional
groups of biodegradable polymers are comparable to those of
biopolymers such as proteins and carbohydrates.
Example of biodegradable polymers
1). Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV)
It is obtained by the copolymerisation of 3-hydroxybutanoic acid and 3-
hydroxypentanoic acid.
The monomers are connected via ester linkages.
PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the environment.
The properties of PHBV depend on the ratio of the monomers. 3-Hydroxybutanoic
acid gives stiffness while 3-hydroxypentanoic acid gives flexibility to the polymer
Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB):
It is formed by the condensation of hydroxybutyric acid( 3-hydroxy butanoic
acid).
It belongs to polyester class of biodegradable plastics.
It is water insoluble and relatively resistant to hydrolytic degradation.
Uses of biodegradable polymers
1. These polymers are well suited to make durable products like plastic chairs
and bottles are to be made, but not for daily use (plastic bags) and disposables
(packaging items).
2. Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-co-β-hydroxy valerate is used in speciality packaging,
orthopaedic equipment and controlled drug release.
3. A drug packed in a capsule of PHBV is released only after the degradation of
the polymer. PHBV undergoes bacterial degradation in the environment.
4. Polyglycolic acid polylactic acid is used in postoperative stitches.
5. Nylon-2-nylon-6 is used in making strings of musical instruments,
toothbrushes etc
Requirements of biodegradation there are essentially following 3
elements for biodegradation process which need to be
simultaneously present :-
Microorganism - The microorganism must exist with the
appropriate biochemical machinery to synthesise enzymes
specific for the target polymer to initiate the deep polymerization
process.
Environment - The following environment factor must be tuned in
a given environment within the window of acceptability for the
Organism producing the appropriate enzymes to degrade the
target polymer temperature pressure moisture oxygen type of
concentration of salts light.
Substrate - Here the substrates refers to biodegradable polymers
it must have following essential feature for biodegradation
process to be successful:
Suitable functional groups -The polymer chain must contain
suitable functional groups or linkage like Ester groups which are
susceptible to hydrolysis or oxidation by microorganism or
enzymes for the initiation of the biodegradation process.
Low molecular weight -Polymers with low molecular weights
are more susceptible towards biodegradation
Less crystallinity -As the crystalline domains are difficult to be
accessed by the enzymes for the degradation process to start
so lesser the degree of crystallinity more will be degradation.
Type of
biodegradable
polymers
biodegradable
polymers can be
classified into 2
types natural or
synthetic