Biodegradation of polylactic acid (PLA) fibers using different enzymes

The biodegradability of polylactic acid (PLA) nonwovens was evaluated using enzymatic degradation. To evaluate enzyme biodegradation, three enzymes, lipase, esterase, and alcalase, which are known to hydrolyze PLA effectively, were selected. Degradation time was determined under optimal enzyme treat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Macromolecular research 2014, 22(6), , pp.657-663
Main Authors: Lee, So Hee, Kim, In Young, Song, Wha Soon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Complex Fluids and Microfluidics
Nanochemistry
Nanotechnology
Physical Chemistry
Polymer Sciences
Soft and Granular Matter
고분자공학
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Summary:The biodegradability of polylactic acid (PLA) nonwovens was evaluated using enzymatic degradation. To evaluate enzyme biodegradation, three enzymes, lipase, esterase, and alcalase, which are known to hydrolyze PLA effectively, were selected. Degradation time was determined under optimal enzyme treatment conditions. Enzymatic degradation affected the width and thickness of PLA nonwovens. In addition, the degree of crystallinity of the PLA nonwovens increased with time for the first 21 days of enzyme biodegradation and then decreased. Alcalase was more efficient than lipase and esterase in degrading the PLA nonwovens. Degradation was found to create cracks on the fiber surface, making the fibers rough. Weight loss and change in tensile strength were not significant, and the observed changes could be due to the cracks on the surface. Our findings propose the mechanism of enzymatic degradation of PLA nonwovens, which might be useful for waste management in the textile industry.
ISSN:1598-5032
2092-7673
DOI:10.1007/s13233-014-2107-9