Evaluation of the Biodegradation of Starch and Cellulose Under Controlled Composting Conditions

In order to verify the response of the controlled composting test method (i.e., the ISO/DIS 14855:1997, the ASTM D 5338-92, or the CEN counterpart) to starch at different concentrations, the maximum amount prescribed by the test method (100 g) and lower amounts (60 and 30 g), as if starch were a coingredient in a blend, were tested. After 44 days of incubation (at a constant temperature of 58°C) the biodegradation curves were in a plateau phase, displaying the following final values (referred to a nominal starch initial amount of 100 g): starch 100 g, 97.5%; starch 60 g, 63.7%; and starch 30 g, 32.5%. The data show a CO₂ evolution roughly equal, in each case, to the theoretical maximum, indicating a complete starch mineralization. We cannot discern whether the deviations found at lower concentrations are caused by a priming effect. In any case, the extent of the deviations is not high and is acceptable in biodegradation studies. The average biodegradation of cellulose, obtained gathering four independent experiments with 11 biodegradation curves, turned out to be 96.8 ± 6.7% (SD) after 47 ± 1 days. The data indicate that the controlled composting is a reliable test method also for starch and cellulose and, consequently, for starch-based and cellulose-based materials.     

Starch- polyvinyl alcohol crosslinked film— performance and biodegradation

Starch-PVOH cast films were prepared with and without crosslinking agent (hexamethoxymethylmelamine) in the absence of plasticizer. Moisture absorption in films without crosslinking agent at a low relative humidity was similar to that of PVOH and increased as the relative humidity increased. Films with crosslinking agent showed moisture absorption linearly proportional to the relative humidity. Significant improvement in resistance to water disintegration for crosslinked starch-PVOH films was observed. While the tensile strength decreased with increased relative humidity, crosslinking significantly improved the tensile strength. Increased PVOH content improved elongation of films even when the relative humidity was 80% or higher. Biodegradation studies revealed that the degradation rate was negatively correlated with the PVOH content in films and crosslinking generated more converged degradation curves. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.     

黄孢原毛平革菌对蒽的降解研究

研究了不同培养条件下２种品系黄孢原毛平革菌对蒽的降解效果,研究结果表明,各样品中蒽的降解率为７５％～９９％;动培养方式比静培养方式对蒽的降解效果好;ＯＧＣ１０１菌优于ＢＤＭ－Ｆ－１７６７菌;对菌进行５０℃～９９％;动培养方式比静培养方式对蒽的降解效果好;ＯＧＣ１０１菌优于ＢＫＭ－Ｆ－１７６７菌;对菌进行５０℃、２４h的 预处理,降解系统的主要酶仍保持一定的活性和稳定性。     

微生物对石油烃的降解机理及影响因素

综述了微生物对链烷烃、环烷烃和芳香烃的降解途径、机理和降解动力学,分析了温度、营养物质、氧及盐度等非生物因素对降解作用的影响。     

Photodegradation and Biodegradation Study of a Starch and Poly(Lactic Acid) Coextruded Material

To simulate the behavior of agricultural mulch coextruded poly(lactic acid)(PLA)/starch films, two stages were carried out. The first was an ultraviolet treatment (UV) at 315 nm, during which glass transition temperature T_g, weight, and molecular weight (MW) decreased and a separation between PLA and starch phase was observed. For the second stage, the mineralization of the carbon of the material was followed using the ASTM (D 5209–92 and 5338–92) and ISO/CEN (14852 and 14855) standard procedures. To measure the biodegradability of polymer material, the assessment of the carbon balance allowed determination of the distribution between the carbon rate used to the biomass synthesis or the respiration process (released CO₂), as well as the dissolved organic carbon into the culture medium and the carbon in the residual insoluble material. The influence of the nature of the medium and the standardized procedures on the final rate of biodegradation was investigated. Whatever the standardized method, the biodegradation percentage was significantly stronger in liquid medium (92.4–93.4) than on inert medium (80–83%). In the case of the compost process, only released CO₂ was measured and corresponded to 79.1–80.3%.     

黄孢原毛平革菌的生长及降解石油条件的优化

在限氮振荡的条件下研究了藜芦醇、Tween-80、草酸、H2O2对黄孢原毛平革菌(P.C.菌)的生长量和石油降解性能的影响。实验结果表明:藜芦醇质量浓度低于0.05 g/L时促进P.C.菌的生长,高质量浓度时抑制P.C.菌的生长,石油降解率随藜芦醇质量浓度增加先升高后下降;Tween-80质量浓度低于7 mg/L时,P.C.菌生长量和石油降解率均随Tween-80质量浓度增大而增加,Tween-80质量浓度大于其临界胶束浓度时,P.C.菌生长量和石油降解率均低于未加Tween-80时;添加草酸抑制P.C.菌的生长,草酸质量浓度为35 mg/L时石油降解率最高,草酸质量浓度为350 mg/L时石油降解率低于未加草酸时;加入H2O2的体系中,石油降解率明显高于无H2O2体系。     

Biodegradation of Fuel Oil Under Laboratory and Arctic Marine Conditions

The aerobic biodegradation of the components of a fuel oil under Arctic summer conditions follows a pattern that is indistinguishable from that exhibited under temperate conditions. Straight chain alkanes and small aromatics are degraded first, followed by branched alkanes and larger and alkylated aromatics. We present data on the biodegradation of heptadecane as a representative n-alkane, pristane as a representative iso-alkane, and naphthalene, phenanthrene, and chrysene and their alkylated forms as representative two-, three- and four-ring aromatic hydrocarbons. In particular, the pattern of degradation of the alkylated aromatics allows the identification of biodegradation in samples collected from the field and the estimation of the extent of biodegradation that occurred in the In-Situ Treatment of Oiled Sediment Shorelines Field Trials.     

Thermodynamic and Diffusion Properties of Biodegradable Systems Based on Starch and Cellulose Derivatives

The interval sorption and diffusion of water vapor were studied for two systems: methylcellulose (MC)/starch and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)/starch. The diffusion coefficient of water vapor and the Gibbs free energy of swelling of these blends in water were estimated. The Gibbs free energy of mixing starch with the cellulose derivatives was determined using the thermodynamic cycle. CMC/starch was shown to be more compatible than MC/starch. Biodegradation of these systems in the water–soil environment was measured and found to increase with the concentration of starch in its blends with cellulose derivatives.     

In Vitro Biodegradation of Polyester-Based Plastic Materials by Selected Bacterial Cultures

A simple and rapid in vitro test was designed for the assessment of the biodegradation of polyester-based plastics by selected biodegrading bacterial strains. Variovorax paradoxus LMG 16137 was used for the degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) and Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae LMG 17238 fo the synthetic-based polyesters poly(-caprolactone) (PCL), poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate), and a starch-PCL blend. Degradation by the bacteria was studied in liquid medium with the plastics (films, granules, and injection-molded test bars) as sole sources of carbon. Degradation was followed through gravimetry, growth of the culture, and tensile testing. The effects of incubation time, inoculum density, aeration, incubation temperature, and pH of the medium on the mass loss were investigated and conditions optimized. The test allowed to obtain reproducible results on the mass loss of plastic samples in less than 3 weeks and yielded excellent partially degraded samples for further analysis.     

壬基酚的环境行为及生物降解研究进展

简单介绍了环境内分泌干扰物壬基酚的化学性质、环境释放机制及其对环境构成的危害,归纳了壬基酚降解的生物菌种特征及生物代谢途径,讨论了包括厌氧或好氧条件下的温度、介质及壬基酚的同分异构等因素对壬基酚生物降解过程的影响,从基础研究、处理技术及环境管理等方面提出了控制壬基酚环境污染的研究方向。     

Intrinsic and Stimulated In Situ Biodegradation of Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH)

The feasibility of the biodegradation of HCH and its intermediates has been investigated. A recent characterisation of two sites in The Netherlands has shown intrinsic biodegradation of HCH. At one site, breakdown products (monochlorobenzene, benzene and chlorophenol) were found in the core of the HCH-plume, whereas the HCH-concentration decreased over time and space. Characterisation of a second, industrial site indicated less intrinsic biodegradation and the need to stimulate biodegradation. In the laboratory, enhanced HCH degradation was tested with soil and groundwater material from both sites, and the required conversion to the intermediates benzene and monochlorobenzene was demonstrated. Furthermore, the biodegradation of these intermediates could be initiated by adding low amounts of oxygen (<5%). Adding nitrate enhanced this degradation. We hypothesise that this occurs through anaerobic nitrate reducing conversion of oxidised intermediates.At the non-industrial other site, intrinsic degradation took place, as shown in the laboratory experiments. Interpretation of the field data with computer codes Modflow and RT3D was performed. As a result of the modelling study, it has been proposed to monitor natural attenuation for several years before designing the final approach.At the industrial site, the results of the batch experiments are applied. Anaerobic HCH degradation to monochlorobenzene and benzene is stimulated via the addition of an electron donor.Infiltration facilities have been installed at the site to create an anaerobic infiltration zone in which HCH will be degraded, and these facilities are combined with the redevelopment of the site.     

Biodegradation of Crude Oil Contaminating Marine Shorelines and Freshwater Wetlands

This paper is a summary of the various factors influencing weathering of oil after it has been released into the environment from a spill incident. Special emphasis has been placed on biodegradation processes. Results from two field studies conducted in 1994 and 1999 involving bioremediation of an experimental oil spill on a marine sandy shoreline in Delaware and a freshwater wetland on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada have been presented in the paper.     

Preparation and Biodegradation of Starch/Polycaprolactone Films

Starch granules were modified with trisodium trimetaphosphate (TSTP) and characterized by P³¹-NMR, FTIR and DSC. Seventy-micron films were prepared from modified starch and polycaprolactone blends by solvent casting technique. Three different types of films—PCL (100% polycaprolactone), MOD-ST/PCL (50% modified starch and 50% polycaprolactone blend) and NONMOD-ST/PCL (50% nonmodified starch and 50% polycaprolactone blends)—were prepared, and their thermal, mechanical, and morphologic properties were investigated to show the increased performance of PCL with the addition of starch and also the effect of modification. It was observed that with the addition of starch the Young's modulus of polycaprolactone was increased and became less ductile, whereas tensile strength and elongation at break values decreased. Biodegradation of these films was inspected under different aerobic environments with the presence of Pseudomonas putida, activated sludge, and compost. It was observed that whereas P. putida had almost no effect on degradation during 90 days, with the presence of activated sludge, considerable deformation of films was observed even in the first 7 days of degradation. In a compost environment, degradation was even faster, and all polymer films were broken into pieces within first 7 days of degradation and no film remained after 15 days.     

Kinetic Study of Naphthalene Biodegradation in Aerobic Slurry Phase Microcosms for the Optimisation of the Process

The research was focused on the slurry-phase biodegradation of naphthalene. The biodegradation process was optimised with preliminary experiments in slurry aerobic microcosms. From soil samples collected on a contaminated site, a Pseudomonas putida strain, called M8, capable to degrade naphthalene was selected. Microcosms were prepared with M8 strain by mixing non-contaminated soil and mineral M9 medium. Different experimental conditions were tested varying naphthalene concentration, soil:water ratio and inoculum density. The disappearance of hydrocarbon, the production of carbon dioxide, and the ratio of total heterotrophic and naphthalene-degrading bacteria were monitored at different incubation times. The kinetic equation that best fitted the disappearance of contaminant with time was determined. The results showed that the isolated strain enhanced the biodegradation rate with respect to the natural biodegradation.     

选择性吸附-高效生物降解法处理含硝基苯与苯酚混合废水

结合NDA-150型树脂（简称树脂）选择性吸附和生物降解的优点,对含硝基苯和苯酚的模拟混合废水（简称混合废水）进行处理。通过树脂的选择性吸附,使混合废水中的硝基苯和苯酚分离,随后用高效菌对树脂所吸附的硝基苯进行生物降解,同时实现树脂的再生。实验结果表明：通过调节混合废水的pH,树脂可有效地将混合废水中的硝基苯和苯酚进行选择性吸附分离;树脂对硝基苯的吸附是可逆的;树脂的再生程度受微生物对可利用硝基苯质量浓度的下限（1．2mg／L）限制;吸附-生物再生循环实验结果表明,该树脂可有效抵抗微生物的生物降解与破坏。     

Field Exposure Study of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Plastic Films in the Banana Fields of Costa Rica

For use by the banana industry of Costa Rica, polylactic acid (PLA) plastic ropes and banana finger shrouds must remain operational for 14 to 16 weeks, and they also must be able to break down in the soil after serving their purposes. The banana field at La Rebusca Farm (Costa Rica) and the experiment station at University of Costa Rica were selected for a field exposure study of Cargill EcoPla Generation II (GII) and Cargill EcoPla monolayer (Ca-I) PLA films. The average monthly temperature, relative humidity, and cumulative rainfall of the La Rebusca Farm and the University of Costa Rica site were 26 and 22°C, 92 and 84%, and 352 and 177 in., respectively. The PLA plastic films at the La Rebusca Farm lost their mechanical properties earlier than at the University of Costa Rica site because of the higher temperature and relative humidity of the banana farm. The Ca-I film meets the 14-week operational time frame and it is recommended for further studies as ropes and banana shrouds.     

Elaboration of a Bio-Colored Material Based on Natural Dye and Polybutylene Succinate: Comparative Study with Colored Polylactic Acid

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In the context of sustainable development and natural products valorization, new ecological materials enter a logic aimed at removing the causes of...     

Influence of Technological Process on Biodegradation of PVA/Waxy Starch Blends in an Aerobic and Anaerobic Environment

Improving biodegradability of PVA/starch blends is a reality already documented by a number of works. Admittedly, mechanical properties of products (for example, tensile strength) are somewhat worse, but suitable composition optimizing or chemical modifying of starch may eliminate the problem to a large degree. This work is an attempt to find another potential effect influencing biodegradability, that of technological procedure for producing films from these blends on an extruder. The procedure with a so-called pre-extrusion step (two-stage) and dry-blend (single-stage) produced blends of slightest differences in achieved biodegradability (virtually within limits of experimental error) in aerobic (76 vs. 79%) as well as anaerobic breakdown (48 vs. 52%). Conversely, morphological analysis exhibited superior homogeneity of films prepared by the two-stage process; their tensile strength was also higher.     

Volatilization and Biodegradation of VOCs in Membrane Bioreactors (MBR)

Volatilization and biodegradation are major competitive volatile organic compound (VOC) removal mechanisms in biological wastewater treatment process, which depend on compound specific properties and system design/operational parameters. In this study, a mathematical model was used to determine major removal pathways at various organic loading rates (OLR), solids residence time (SRT) and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in a biological process for vinyl acetate. Model results showed that biological treatment process should be designed with long SRT, high OLR and low DO concentrations to maximize biodegradation and minimize volatilization of VOCs. Unless a VOC is toxic to microorganisms under the given conditions, low VOC emission rates are an inherent advantage of MBRs, which operate at higher OLR and longer SRT compared to conventional activated sludge process. A lab scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) was operated at varying OLR to investigate the relative volatilization and biodegradation rates for acetaldehyde, butyraldehyde and vinyl acetate. Synthetic wastewater containing three VOCs was introduced to the MBR. The DO concentration and SRT was maintained at 2.0 mg L^{− 1} and 100 days, respectively. The overall VOC removal rate was more than 99.7% for three VOCs at all the OLR. For vinyl acetate, the biodegradation rate increased from 93.87 to 99.40% and the volatilization removal rate decreased from 6.09 to 0.59% as OLR was increased from 1.1 to 2.0 kg COD m^{− 3} d^{− 1}. It was confirmed that a MBR can be a promising solution to reduce VOC emissions from wastewater.     

Effects of Electron-Beam Irradiation and Ultraviolet Light (365 nm) on Polylactic Acid Plastic Films

Strips of Ca-I [polylactic acid (PLA) monolayer plastic films from Cargill Dow Polymers LLC, Minnetonka, MN] cut in the machine and nonmachine directions were irradiated with an electron beam using a CIRCLE III Linear Accelerator (MeV Industries S.A., Jouy-en-Josas, Cedex, France). The effects of 33-kGy irradiation on the physical properties of the Ca-I strips were studied. In addition, the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light (365-nm) illumination on the degradation of three PLA plastic films, Ch-I (PLA monolayer plastic films from Chronopol, Golden, CO), GII (PLA trilayer plastic films from Cargill Dow Polymers LLC), MN), and Ca-I (PLA monolayer plastic films from Cargill Dow Polymers LLC) were analyzed by a modified ASTM D5208-91 method. Results showed that irradiation had decreased the weight-average molecular weight (M_w), stress at break, percentage of elongation, and strain energy of Ca-I by 35.5, 26.7, 32.3, and 44.8%, respectively (P < 0.01). The shelf life of the irradiated Ca-I strips at 5°C and <20 ± 5% RH was about 6 months. The degradation rate of Ch-I, GII, and Ca-I with no UV light treatment at 55°C and 10% RH was 2512, 5618, and 3785 M_w/week, respectively. Under the UV light illumination (365 nm), the degradation rate of Ch-I, GII, and Ca-I, was 2982, 8722, and 7467 M_w/week, respectively. Hence, the degradation rate of GII and Ca-I was increased 55 and 97% by UV light (P < 0.008), respectively. This trend was not observed in Ch-I because its starting M_w (78,000 g/mol) was close to the tensile strength lost range (50,000 to 75,000 g/mol) of PLA films. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that UV light does further enhance the degradation of PLA films.