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Baldera-Moreno Y, Hernández C, Vargas A, Rojas-Palma A, Morales-Vera R, Andler R. Effects of turning aeration and the initial carbon/nitrogen ratio on the biodegradation of polylactic acid under controlled conditions. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 268:131689. [PMID: 38642680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.131689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is primarily caused by the accumulation of petroleum-derived plastics, as they tend to degrade slowly. Sustainable alternatives to these materials are bio-based and biodegradable plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA). In this study, we assessed how turning aeration and the initial carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio impact PLA biodegradation. The study was carried out under controlled composting conditions, over 180 days, with the aim of decreasing the biodegradation time of the PLA. Apple pomace, rice husk, grape pomace compost, and PLA were used as substrates in the composting process. The experiments were conducted using three types of turning aeration: without turning, one turn per week, and two turns per week. Three initial C/N ratios were used: 20, 30, and 40. A stepwise temperature ramp was designed and implemented to simulate industrial composting conditions, which influence microbial activity and thus the rate of decomposition of substrates, including PLA. The data showed behavior; hence, a nonlinear regression model based on the logistic growth equation was used to predict the PLA biodegradation at the end of the composting process. The results showed that two turns per week with an initial C/N ratio of 30 or 40 led to a 90 % biodegradation of the PLA in 130 days. This degradation was verified by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvan Baldera-Moreno
- Doctorado en Modelamiento Matemático Aplicado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile; Departamento de Matemática, Física y Estadística, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile
| | - Camila Hernández
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile
| | - Aris Vargas
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile
| | - Alejandro Rojas-Palma
- Doctorado en Modelamiento Matemático Aplicado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile; Departamento de Matemática, Física y Estadística, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Morales-Vera
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile; Facultad de Ingeniería Ciencias y Tecnología, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Av Viel 1497, Santiago 8370993, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Rodrigo Andler
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Av San Miguel 3605, Talca 3460000, Región del Maule, Chile.
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Baldera-Moreno Y, Pino V, Farres A, Banerjee A, Gordillo F, Andler R. Biotechnological Aspects and Mathematical Modeling of the Biodegradation of Plastics under Controlled Conditions. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14030375. [PMID: 35160364 PMCID: PMC8840406 DOI: 10.3390/polym14030375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The strong environmental impact caused by plastic pollution has led research to address studies from different perspectives. The mathematical modeling of the biodegradation kinetics of solid materials is a major challenge since there are many influential variables in the process and there is interdependence of microorganisms with internal and external factors. In addition, as solid substrates that are highly hydrophobic, mass transfer limitations condition degradation rates. Some mathematical models have been postulated in order to understand the biodegradation of plastics in natural environments such as oceans. However, if tangible and optimizable solutions are to be found, it is necessary to study the biodegradation process under controlled conditions, such as using bioreactors and composting systems. This review summarizes the biochemical fundamentals of the main plastics (both petrochemical and biological origins) involved in biodegradation processes and combines them with the main mathematical equations and models proposed to date. The different biodegradation studies of plastics under controlled conditions are addressed, analyzing the influencing factors, assumptions, model developments, and correlations with laboratory-scale results. It is hoped that this review will provide a comprehensive overview of the process and will serve as a reference for future studies, combining practical experimental work and bioprocess modeling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvan Baldera-Moreno
- Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile;
| | - Valentina Pino
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile; (V.P.); (F.G.)
| | - Amelia Farres
- Departamento de Alimentos y Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico;
| | - Aparna Banerjee
- Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile;
| | - Felipe Gordillo
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile; (V.P.); (F.G.)
| | - Rodrigo Andler
- Escuela de Ingeniería en Biotecnología, Centro de Biotecnología de los Recursos Naturales (Cenbio), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3460000, Chile; (V.P.); (F.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-9-6166-2898
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