engleski

Biodegradability of polymers in environmental

With increasing global consumption and their natural resistance to degradation, plastic materials and their accumulation in the environment is of increasing concern. Approximately 140 million tonnes of synthetic polymers are produced worldwide each year. These polymers are extremely stable, and do not readily enter into the degradation cycles of the biosphere. The term biodegradation indicates the predominance of biological activity in this phenomenon. Biodegradation can be a key feature of synthetic polymers within the frame of sustainable development. Polymers are widely used and our daily life could not be imagined without them. Biodegradable plastics, as novel materials, make claims to be environmentally friendly. Biodegradable plastic is plastic that decomposes naturally in the environment. This is achieved when microorganisms in the environment metabolize and break down the structure of biodegradable plastic. Environmental factors not only influence the polymer to be degraded, they also have a crucial influence on the microbial population and on the activity of the different microorganisms themselves. Factors such as humidity, temperature, pH, the presence or absence of oxygen and the supply of different nutrients have important effects on the microbial degradation of polymers. Within the frame of the sustainable development, new materials are being conceived in order to increase their biodegradability properties. A redesign of plastic materials and development of biodegradable plastics produced from renewable sources is currently widely researched.

biodegradable plastics ; microorganisms ; environment

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