Biodegradation Studies Research Articles

Leather waste as a filler of synthetic fibers: a novel approach to waste recycling

Finished leather scrap (FLS) is a footwear industrial waste that is often dumped in landfills. Because of environmental problems, there has recently been an increase in interest in using wastes as inclusion for blending materials. Microleather fibers (MLFs) were extracted from the LFS with the help of fiber isolation machine. This study examines the possibility of using LFS waste as a blending in polypropylene fiber (PPF). For the purpose of consumer application, 500 wt.% of MLF and different concentrations of PPF (100, 200, and 300 wt.%) were used to develop the web fibrous matrix (WFM) using the web formation method and injection molding techniques. The impact of PPF blending concentration on the mechanical characteristics of WFM was assessed. WFM containing up to 300 wt.% PPF increased characteristics such as tensile strength (85.95 ± 1.81 MPa), elongation at break (81.18 ± 0.23%), tearing strength (22.69 ± 0.23 N/mm), and flexing index (10.55 ± 0.73%), attaining mechanical properties comparable to nonwoven polypropylene composite. A biodegradation study was carried out using an enzymatic method, and the results demonstrated the biodegradable properties. WFM demonstrated desirable applications such as in home interiors, shoe lining materials, carpets, and puppets, as well as in low-cost materials and prevention of pollution.

Biodegradation Study of Food Packaging Materials: Assessment of the Impact of the Use of Different Biopolymers and Soil Characteristics

In this article, the relationship between the properties of different membranes (agar, chitosan, and agar + chitosan) and biodegradability in natural and sterilized soil was investigated. The membranes under investigation exhibited variations in the biodegradation process, a phenomenon closely linked to both the soil microbiota composition and their water affinity. Higher solubility in water and greater swelling tendencies correlated with shorter initiation times for the biodegradation process in soil. Overall, all tested membranes began biodegradation within 14 days, as assessed through thickness and morphological analysis parameters, demonstrating a superior degradation rate compared to low-density polyethylene films.

Biodegradability of polyethylene: Challenges and future perspectives

Polyethylene (PE) is the second most abundant plastic worldwide due to its broad application in manufacturing disposable materials such as bags and bottles. Since it is highly resistant to natural biodegradation, it can accumulate in landfills, causing various ecological and toxicological consequences. Even though microbial degradation of PE has been extensively investigated, complete biodegradation of PE has yet to be achieved, and comparisons of PE biodegradation experiment findings are not practical. This may be due to the wide variety of PE substances used, and a wide variety of culture conditions, and many of the published findings still need key chemistry of PE materials, as well as basic biochemistry and microbiology. This review highlights the need for standardization in PE biodegradation studies and defining key biochemical terms. It aims to identify deficiencies and challenges in PE degradation experiments, enhancing future research for scientific and technological advancement. This review provides a biochemically based definition of PE biodegradation and summarizes microorganisms responsible for PE biodegradation. We also caution readers about the chemical makeup and structure of the PE, as well as the approaches utilized in microbes’ isolation. This review defines the fundamental elements required to conduct an effective PE biodegradation investigation.

Physicochemical, mechanical properties, and biodegradation studies of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites reinforced with bacterial nanocellulose or wood flour

Physicochemical, mechanical properties, and biodegradation studies of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) composites reinforced with bacterial nanocellulose or wood flour

Biodegradation Studies of Biobased Mulch Films Reinforced with Cellulose from Waste Mango

Biodegradation Studies of Biobased Mulch Films Reinforced with Cellulose from Waste Mango

Feasibility of polylactic acid and essential oil composite with insecticidal properties for prevention of Sitophilus oryzae and Oryzophilus surinamensis in Sorghum and Pearl millet

Current study provides insight on the feasibility of polylactic acid (PLA) integrated with (1:1 ratio) of essential oils belonging to Ocimum gratissimum (OG) and Mentha spicata (MS) for prevention of major stored insect pests (Sitophilus oryzae and Oryzophilus surinamensis) in Sorghum and Pearl millet. A combination of OG and MS essential oils (1:1) was incorporated into the PLA polymer matrix. Further, SPME analysis of synthesized PLA showed the presence of volatiles corresponding to carvone (6.44 %) and thymol (6.22 %). Synthesized PLA composites were tested against S. oryzae and O. surinamensis using Sorghum and Pearl millets, and insect mortality was equivalent to commercial super bags (CSB). The head space oxygen decreased significantly in CSB and slightly in PLA bags. Thickness of EO blended PLA composite was increased (99 μm), tensile strength (23.94 MPa), WVTR (1.42 g/m2.hr) analysis, significant folding ability, and swelling capacity (0.24 %) showed slight reduction in composite film. TGA showed good thermal stability (334˚C) and XRD displayed the increased crystallinity (38.35 %) in PLAOM films, SEM and FTIR analysis of the synthesized composite films revealed complete homogenization of EO and PLA matrix. In addition, SEM analysis of insects (control & treated) revealed less topology changes in the elytra. Biodegradability study confirmed the weight loss in PLA films. Hence, current approach of using composite EO's with PLA offers sustainable solution for prevention of infestation during storage of millets.

Biodegradation Of Propanil by Fusarum Oxysparum from Rice Farm

Propanil is a widely used aniline contact herbicide. It has been reported that poor handling and application of propanil have adverse effects on non -target organisms and can cause water pollution through runoff, persistence of propanil and its by–by-products, human health problems, and reduced crop yields Propanil is a widely used aniline contact herbicide. It has been reported that poor handling and application of propanil have adverse effects on non-target organisms. It can cause water pollution through runoff, persistence of propanil and its by–products, human health problems, and reduced crop yields. The propanil degraders were further characterized with molecular typing using 16s rRNA sequencing. The biodegradation study was conducted for fourteen days and the residual concentration of propanil was determined using gas chromatography. The microbial examination of contaminated propanil soil showed the presence of Fusarium sp and a preliminary test showed Fusarium oxysporum. The study showed that the application of propanil to agricultural fields is safe as there are indigenous microorganisms that can degrade it and the consumption of rice grown on propanil-contaminated soil will not be hazardous to human health as the residual propanil concentration is much below the level stipulated by regulatory authorities

Physico-mechanical properties, hydroxyapatite conversion, biodegradability and antibacterial activity studies of melt-derived BGs based on SiO2-CaO-Na2O-P2O5 quaternary system

The slow biodegradation and low hydroxyapatite (HA) conversion of silicate-based bioactive glasses (BGs) have severely limited their compatibility with biological tissues. To address these challenges, four samples in the form of (52-x)SiO2-24Na2O-24CaO-xP2O5, where x is 2, 4, 6, and 8 mol%, were prepared by a unified melt-quenching method, and the feasibility of P2O5 content fine-tuning in improving glass structure, biodegradability, bioactivity, and antibacterial efficiency was evaluated. The results indicated that as the degree of P2O5 substitution increased, the network structure of the glass became looser, which provided favourable conditions for its degradation. The variation in activation energy for Si4+ ion release from 0.39 eV to 0.25 eV also supported this observation. After 7 days of immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), analyses by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed that the Ca-P compounds deposited on the glass surfaces were essentially hydroxycarbonated apatite (HCA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the generation rate of the HCA were positively correlated with the P2O5 content in the glass system. Meanwhile, antibacterial studies showed that after 24 h of incubation, the antibacterial activity of the four glass samples against Escherichia coli (E. coli) successively increased, with the highest percentage reaching 87.13 ± 2.51 %. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that controllable degradation and high-level bioactivity can be achieved by modulating the P2O5 content in silicate-based BGs, which proves to be an effective and practicable strategy.

Bioplastic Production Using Aloe vera Gel as Plasticizer: A Sustainable Approach

The utilization of bioplastics has garnered considerable interest because of their capacity to alleviate environmental issues related to conventional petroleum-based plastics. This study explores the feasibility of utilizing Aloe vera gel as a plasticizer in bioplastic production, aiming to enhance biodegradability and sustainability. Aloe vera gel, a natural polysaccharide-rich material, offers promising characteristics such as biocompatibility, non-toxicity, and abundant availability. This research involves the formulation of bioplastic blends comprising biodegradable polymers such as starch from Cassava, along with varying concentrations of Aloe vera gel as a plasticizer. The resulting bioplastics' mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties are systematically evaluated using standard testing methods. Preliminary results demonstrate that Aloe vera gel effectively improves the flexibility and processability of bioplastic materials while maintaining adequate mechanical strength. Thermal analysis reveals enhanced thermal stability in some formulations, indicating the potential for diverse applications. The bioplastic film had a tensile strength of determined to be 5.53 N. Additionally, the percent mean breaking elongation was found to be 1.2%, indicating the extent to which the film can stretch before reaching its breaking point. The thickness yields a result of 0.05 mm. Moreover, biodegradation studies indicate accelerated degradation rates in composting conditions, highlighting the eco- friendly nature of Aloe vera-based bioplastics. This research underscores the possibility of Aloe vera gel as a sustainable alternative plasticizer in bioplastic production, offering a promising avenue for reducing reliance on fossil-based materials and addressing environmental concerns associated with plastic waste pollution.

Preparation of Block Copolymer-Stabilized Microspheres from Commercial Plastics and Their Use as Microplastic Proxies in Degradation Studies.

This study presents a novel one-pot procedure for preparing sub-10 μm poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG)-stabilized glycol-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), polycarbonate, and polycaprolactone (PCL) particles from commercial plastics. The prepared particles can be dried and directly resuspended in water, making them easy to handle and relevant mimics of microplastics. In addition, the method was extended to the preparation of unstabilized PET particles and somewhat larger polyethylene (PE)-based particles. Selected stabilized microparticles were subjected to aerobic biodegradation studies and compared with nonstabilized PET particles. All of the particles exhibited some degradation. For PLA and PET particles, the degradation corresponded well to the amount of surface-stabilizing MPEG groups or known impurities, confirming that these polymers do not degrade under the applied conditions but that the stabilizing groups do. PCL particles degraded relatively rapidly, which is consistent with the literature data and their relatively small size. PE-based particles degraded more than expected if only degradation of the stabilizing groups was taken into account, indicating that the surface chemistry of these particles plays a role in bulk degradation.

Computational Studies of Biodegradation of Polyester-Polyurethanes by Protease Enzyme

Computational Studies of Biodegradation of Polyester-Polyurethanes by Protease Enzyme

Development and evaluation of biodegradable alginate beads loaded with sorafenib for cancer treatment

The study focused on fabricating and characterizing sorafenib-loaded calcium alginate beads for potential cancer therapy application. The beads were synthesized via ionotropic gelation using calcium chloride as a crosslinker. Successful sorafenib encapsulation was confirmed through various analytical techniques, including FTIR, XRD, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. FTIR analysis showed shifts in characteristic bands, indicating effective drug loading. XRD patterns revealed both amorphous and crystalline characteristics, with peaks corresponding to the drug and polymer. SEM images depicted spherical beads with surface roughness. UV-Vis spectrum analysis demonstrated high encapsulation efficiencies ranging from 99.48 % to 99.82 %, depending on the sorafenib concentration. Biodegradation studies suggested the beads' potential for drug delivery, showing gradual weight and shape loss. Antioxidant assays indicated superior scavenging activity, while antibacterial assays showed good activity against Bacillus species. Cytotoxicity studies revealed specific toxicity against MCF7 breast cancer cells. Drug release data fitted well with the first-order model, indicating controlled release properties. These findings highlight the potential of sorafenib-loaded calcium alginate beads as an effective delivery system for cancer therapy.

Bio-based ester- and ester-imine resins for digital light processing 3D printing: The role of the chemical structure on reprocessability and susceptibility to biodegradation under simulated industrial composting conditions

Four biobased ester and ester-imine photocurable resins were formulated and evaluated for printability by digital light processing 3D printing. The resin formulations consisted of methacrylated eugenol alone or in combination with methacrylated poly(hydroxybutyrate)-oligomers and/or methacrylated vanillin-derived Schiff-base monomers. It was not possible to print methacrylated eugenol alone into coherent thermosets, likely due to the lower reactivity of the allyl-double bond. However, in combination with the other building blocks methacrylated eugenol improved the printability, although some over-curing phenomena were registered especially for the resins composed of methacrylated eugenol and methacrylated poly(hydroxybutyrate)-derived oligomers. The three formulations that were successfully printed to coherent thermosets were further evaluated for their solvent resistance, thermal and mechanical properties, reprocessability and biodegradability under simulated industrial composting conditions. The reprocessing experiments documented the synergic effect of ester and imine dynamic covalent bonds in favoring the preservation of the elastic modulus of the thermosets; while an evidently higher deterioration of the mechanical properties was registered for the ester-thermosets. The biodegradation studies highlighted a clear correlation between the biodegradation rate and the chemical structure of the thermosets, with the aliphatic components and ester and imine bonds increasing the thermosets’ susceptibility to the biodegradation under simulated industrial composting conditions.

Biodegradable pot from oil palm fronds waste: production process, physical properties, and biodegradability study

This research investigated the potential use of oil palm frond waste as a new raw material for developing biodegradable pots (biopot), which could substitute planting containers made from petroleum-based materials such as pots or plastic polybags. This study was aimed, in particular, at examining the physical characteristics and biodegradability of biopot products. This objective was essential for ensuring that the functionality, characteristics, and biodegradability of biopots were technically acceptable for their agricultural application. Production of biopot was done by cold pressing method, which started by mixing the frond fibers as reinforcement with tapioca as a matrix and molding it using the cold pressing method. Furthermore, testing of physical characteristics includes density, moisture content, water absorption, and biodegradability in soil media. The research shows that the biopot from oil palm fronds has a density of 0.27-0.44 g / cm3, moisture content of 1.28-4.71%, and water absorption of 179.88-285.74%. The degradability of biodegradable pots ranged from 11.07-34.22%. Based on the above characteristics, the biodegradable pot from oil palm fronds has the potential to be used for planting containers. Biopot from oil palm fronds was interesting to develop since it performed suitable characteristics, compared to the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) of the similar composites product and the characteristics of biodegradable pot from other previous reliable research

Development and characterization of UV‐curable PCL/AESO/CNT nanocomposites for biomedical engineering

AbstractThis study investigates the development and characterization of UV‐curable Poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), Acrylated Epoxidized Soybean Oil (AESO), and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) nanocomposites for biomedical engineering applications. The PCL/AESO blends were prepared in various ratios, and CNTs were incorporated at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt% to enhance mechanical properties. The UV‐curable formulations aimed to leverage rapid curing times, precise control over material properties, and the ability to fabricate complex structures. Results indicated that the incorporation of CNTs improved the tensile strength, modulus, and toughness of the composites. The PCL/AESO/CNT nanocomposites exhibited a tensile strength increase of 25%, a modulus improvement of 30%, and a toughness enhancement of 20% compared to pure PCL. Thermal analysis showed an increase in crystallization temperature and thermal stability, with a crystallinity degree of 63.31% and a maximum degradation temperature of 407°C for the B/C 50/50/1.5 sample. Biocompatibility assessments using L929 fibroblast cells revealed that the composites supported cell viability and proliferation over 7 days with negligible cytotoxicity. Cell attachment studies indicated favorable morphology and adherence, suggesting a conducive environment for cell growth and differentiation. Hydrolytic biodegradation studies demonstrated adjustable degradation rates, making these composites suitable for various biomedical applications requiring controlled biodegradation.

Impact of Effluent Treatment Plant Sludge on Growth, Physiology, and Biodegradation Potential of Cyanobacteria: Anabaena variabilis, Nostoc muscorum, and Nostoc sp.

Organic compounds and pollutants from industries like oil refineries, such as total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to pose toxic effects to the environment by degrading the soil and water quality along with the deposition of heavy metals thereby causing a threat to the life forms existing in them. This pose of imbalance in the ecosystem calls for an exigent notice and effort regarding controlling it. Hydrocarbon sludge from Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) is one such toxic effluent eluted from oil refineries, and that is yet to be reported for a biodegradation study. Among a huge number of physical and chemical techniques, bioremediation has been a much talked about measure but is not in the required scale of practice yet. The reason could be a lack of efficient standardization for environmental applications. Cyanobacteria being well-known for their ability to survive difficult environmental conditions efficiently and to adapt to a mixotrophic nature, makes them ideal for performing bioremediation at a large scale in the open environment. The study aimed to quantify this ability of cyanobacteria by assessing the TPH content of the treatment sample, Effluent Treatment plant (ETP) hydrocarbon sludge pre- and post-treatment using GC-FID. The study was designed to treat the sludge by cyanobacterial strains in a pre-determined lethal dose concentration and monitor the activity of enzymes vital for a basic degradation metabolism, in addition to the growth rates of the cultures. The figures obtained from the enzyme assays and the growth rates appeared to be collateral in the direction of it being a highly promising bioremediation approach that could be efficiently performed by increasing the scale of application. The chromatograms obtained from the GC-FID depicted significant reductions in the TPH content of the treated samples that strongly indicated the potential of the cyanobacterial cultures to bioremediate an oil- contaminated site or treat toxic effluents from oil refineries.

Mechanical, thermal and biodegradation studies of highly degradable composite films of pectin/guar gum/ polyvinylpyrrolidone with rice crop residues: a future vision of packaging and mulch films

ABSTRACT In the present work, eco-friendly composites were fabricated using pectin/guar gum/ polyvinylpyrrolidone blend as matrix and agriculture waste like rice husk and rice straw as reinforcements. Rice husk and rice straw are treated with an alkali solution and then incorporated into the matrix by solvent casting method. The amount of rice husk/rice straw varied from 5% to 15% of the total polymer content. The interaction between polymers and reinforcements is studied by FTIR which shows the presence of hydrogen bonding among the components. SEM images were used to confirm the homogeneous distribution of rice husk/rice straw in the composite films. Thermogravimetry analysis of the composites and the control (blend) film shows that there is an improvement in thermal degradation stability upon the incorporation of reinforcements. The tensile strength of composites is also augmented when compared with the control film (24.61 MPa) and the composite with 10% rice husk has a maximum (29.41 MPa) tensile strength. The biodegradation study of the composite films is performed by the soil burial method.

Bioactive material‑sodium alginate-polyvinyl alcohol composite film scaffold for bone tissue engineering application

Road accidents and infection-causing diseases during bone surgery are serious problems in orthopedics, and thus, addressing these pressing challenges is crucial. In the present study, the 70S30C calcium silicate bioactive material (BM) is synthesized by a sustainable approach employing a precipitation method using recycled rice husk and eggshells as a precursor of silica and calcium. Further, 70S30C BM is composited with sodium alginate (SA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the films were prepared by solvent casting method. The composite films were prepared without the addition of acid, binder, and crosslinking agents. Further, the films were characterized by BET, XRD, ATR-FTIR, SEM, and EDS mapping. The in vitro bioactivity and biodegradation study is performed in the simulated body fluid (SBF). The in vitro haemolysis study is executed using human blood and the results demonstrate haemocompatibility of the composite films. The ex ovo CAM assay also exhibits good neovascularization. The in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility assay proves its non-toxic nature. Further, the in vivo study reveals that the engineered composite film demonstrates accelerated osteogenesis. This work broadens the orthopedic potential of the composite film and offers bioactivity, haemocompatibility, angiogenesis, non-toxicity, and in vivo osteogenesis which would serve as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering application.

Cure, Mechanical, Swelling, Antimicrobial and Biodegradability Studies of Biocomposites of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber and Chitosan

Cure, Mechanical, Swelling, Antimicrobial and Biodegradability Studies of Biocomposites of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber and Chitosan

Biodegradation of Plastic Wastes in Soil: A Review on Testing and Evaluation Procedures

The recalcitrant behaviour of plastic creates an acute pollution on soil and aquatic biota. The plastic polymer synthesised from petroleum takes several hundred years to degrade. During excavation activities on the lands within or at the outskirts of urban limits, single use plastic wrappers and bags that were buried long ago, can be found in large quantities. Researchers have already identified the potentiality of microorganisms to biodegrade the plastic polymers. These microorganisms utilise plastic as a sole source of carbon and mineralise them into carbon dioxide under optimum environmental conditions. This paper provides a brief review on the biodegradation studies carried out by various researchers, spectra of microorganisms identified with the potential to degrade various polymeric substances, methods of testing and evaluations in order to quantify the effectiveness of degradation, their shortfalls and risks involved in implementing bioremediation technique in the field. A review on other related aspects that are deemed to be relevant to this topic are also discussed.