Growth of White Rot Fungi in Composites Produced from Urban Plastic Waste and Wood

Abstract

SummaryIn the search for new biodegradable materials is found the combination of natural fibers with conventional polymeric materials or biodegradable polymers. The incorporation of natural fibers to thermoplastic polymer matrix is associated with improvement of their properties due to advantages such as the fact that the natural fibers are biodegradable and less abrasive when compared to synthetic fibers. The materials produced with conventional synthetic polymers are considered inert to immediate attack of microorganisms, as thermoplastic polymers used in this research, PP (polypropylene) and EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). Thus, this study aims to evaluate the potential for biodegradation of wood plastic composites (WPC) obtained through the use of post‐consumer bottle caps and wood flour. The monitoring was conducted through cultivation of different species of fungi (basidiomycetes) on different substrates, being made by gravimetric analysis and visual monitoring of the composites, in order to assess that species of fungus has increased growth kinetics and its relation with different kinds of wood and then have an estimate of the potential biotic degradation of these materials. Based on results presented here, it is concluded that the Trametes villosa (TV) fungi is that best interacted with the wood contained in the composite in both species of Eucalyptus grandis (Eu) as Pinus elliottii (Pi).