Nutrient Sources for Fungi and Bacteria

The sources of food for microorganism growth within plastics are the raw materials used in their manufacture. The obvious example is the plasticiser used in PVC. The type of plasticiser will vary the susceptibility of the PVC to microbial attack. This is because the type and propensity of organisms will depend on their ability to utilise the plasticiser as a food source. As such, plasticisers can be ranked in terms of their susceptibility to attack (Table 3). 

Of com e, PVC is only one example of a plastic but other plastics based on PU will also be susceptible. The ingredients in PU that are susceptible m include esters, ureas, urethanes, amides, biurets and allophanates. 

Indeed most polymers are receptive to attack including cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, polycaprolactone, polyethylene succinate, polyethylene adipate, polyvinyl alcohol, polybutadiene, styrene butadiene, butyl acrylonitrile, butadiene acrylonitrile, polyester polyurethanes, polyacetate, polyglycollate, polydioxanone and Nylon 2,6. 

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