Biodegradation ability

Foam low high Alkali stab Electrolyte stab Acid stab Chlorine stab Surface tension Detergent effect Hydrotropic effect Solubilizing effect Biodegrad- ability... 

Table 1 Yeast species and biodegradation ability of azo dyes...

Kim MN, Yoona MG (2010) Isolation of strains degrading poly(vinyl alcohol) at high temperatures and their biodegradation ability. Polym Degrad Stab 95 89-93... 

Almendros, G., and Dorado, J. (1999). Molecular characteristics related to the biodegrad-ability of humic acids preparations. Eur. J. Soil Sci. 50,227-236. 

Vercauteren et al that the in vitro degradation of dextrans in the presence of lysosomal glucosidases or endodextranases is rather slow. Moreover, it was shown that chemical modification of the dextran further reduces its biodegrad-ability. ... 

Other specific parameters Solubility, density, viscosity, hydroxyl value, carbonyl value, salts, toxicity, biodegradation ability, and so on... 

Polylactic acid (PLA) has caught the attention of polymer scientist and proving to be a viable alternative biopolymer to petrochemical based plastics for many applications. PLA is produced from lactic acid, that is derived itself from the fermentation of corn or sugar beet and due to its biodegradation ability, PLA presents the major advantage to enter in the natural cycle implying its return to the biomass. The life-cycle of PLA is shown in Fig. 11.1. 

PLGA (Cutright and Hunsuck, 1971 Athanasiou et al., 1996), which was employed as suture by taking advantage of its biodegradation ability. So far, the medical applications have not changed drastically and the main polymer choices are still the classical types of copolymers based on polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) as shown in Table 7.6. 

Acid Alcohol Viscosity, cSt 100°C 40°C VI Pour Point,°C Wt% Volati- lity Wt% Biodegrad ability ... 

Mixture polymeric coating chitosan-polyvinyl alcohol have high strength and elasticity, increased biodegradating ability and good solubility in water. Moistureabsorbing capacity of such films is somewhat lower than that of individual chitosan. 

---