Biodegradability ofAliphatic Polyester

Abstract

The presence of microbes which can degrade commercial biodegradable plastics, i.e. poly-c-caprolactone PCL, poly-.hydroxy butyrate PUB, polybutylene succinate PBS and polylactic acid PLA, was e'aluated using colony counting and clear-zones methods. Out of 12 soil samples taken from Serpong area, it was confirmed that PCL, PHB and PBS degrading microorganisms were observed in all samples, but no samples showed PLA degradation. The ratio of degrading microorganisms to total microorganisms decreased following the order of PCL, PUB, PBS and PLA. Result of burial test of biodegradable plastic films show that PHB film is easy to degrade but not PLA film. The tendency of the results was similar with the results reported in the same investigation at sub-tropical country.