Cellulose acetate biodegradability upon exposure to simulated aerobic composting and anaerobic bioreactor environments

Gu, Ji Dong; Eberiel, David; McCarthy, Stephen P.; Gross, Richard A.

doi:10.1007/bf01418207

Cited by 115 publications

(66 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In the same study Gu et al disclosed the results of placing cellophane and a CA film with DS = 1.7 in a bioreactor under anaerobic conditions. After 30 days, the CA film had been degraded completely [8]. The authors of this study stressed that both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms are known to produce the complete set of hydrolases, including esterases, which are necessary to degrade naturally occurring acetylated polysaccharides.…”

Section: Biological Degradationmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The materials were exposed to biologically active laboratory aerobic test vessels at 53°C [8]. They found that the films completely disappeared after incubation for 7 and 18 days, respectively.…”

Section: Biological Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Later the importance of the deacetylation step was shown, when it was learned that acetyl esterase enzymes are common in microorganisms. Currently CA is generally recognized as a biodegradable polymer within the scientific community [4][5][6][7][8]. Recent work has allowed a considerable increase in the knowledge of the enzymology of non-substituted and acetylated polysaccharides, thus illuminating the biodegradation mechanism.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Degradation of Cellulose Acetate-Based Materials: A Review

Puls¹,

Wilson

Hölter³

2010

J Polym Environ

535

321

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Cellulose acetate polymer is used to make a variety of consumer products including textiles, plastic films, and cigarette filters. A review of degradation mechanisms, and the possible approaches to diminish the environmental persistence of these materials, will clarify the current and potential degradation rates of these products after disposal. Various studies have been conducted on the biodegradability of cellulose acetate, but no review has been compiled which includes biological, chemical, and photo chemical degradation mechanisms. Cellulose acetate is prepared by acetylating cellulose, the most abundant natural polymer. Cellulose is readily biodegraded by organisms that utilize cellulase enzymes, but due to the additional acetyl groups cellulose acetate requires the presence of esterases for the first step in biodegradation. Once partial deacetylation has been accomplished either by enzymes, or by partial chemical hydrolysis, the polymer's cellulose backbone is readily biodegraded. Cellulose acetate is photo chemically degraded by UV wavelengths shorter than 280 nm, but has limited photo degradability in sunlight due to the lack of chromophores for absorbing ultraviolet light. Photo degradability can be significantly enhanced by the addition of titanium dioxide, which is used as a whitening agent in many consumer products. Photo degradation with TiO 2 causes surface pitting, thus increasing a material's surface area which enhances biodegradation. The combination of both photo and biodegradation allows a synergy that enhances the overall degradation rate. The physical design of a consumer product can also facilitate enhanced degradation rate, since rates are highly influenced by the exposure to environmental conditions. The patent literature contains an abundance of ideas for designing consumer products that are less persistent in the outdoors environment, and this review will include insights into enhanced degradability designs.

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Section: Biological Degradationmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Biological Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Degradation of Cellulose Acetate-Based Materials: A Review

Puls¹,

Wilson

Hölter³

2010

J Polym Environ

535

321

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Cellulosic hydrophilic membranes have been favored in membrane bioreactors for ethanol production [14,15]. They are, however, not suitable for digestion processes [16,17] due to their low stability in harsh digesting conditions. Recently, polyvinylidine fluoride (PVDF) membrane modules were applied in bioreactors in order to prevent wash-out of the microorganisms and biomass separation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid Biogas Production by Compact Multi-Layer Membrane Bioreactor: Efficiency of Synthetic Polymeric Membranes

et al. 2013

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Entrapment of methane-producing microorganisms between semi-permeable synthetic membranes in a multi-layer membrane bioreactor (MMBR) was studied and compared to the digestion capacity of a free-cell digester, using a hydraulic retention time of one day and organic loading rates (OLR) of 3.08, 6.16, and 8.16 g COD/L·day. The reactor was designed to retain bacterial cells with uprising plug flow through a narrow tunnel between membrane layers, in order to acquire maximal mass transfer in a compact bioreactor. Membranes of hydrophobic polyamide 46 (PA) and hydroxyethylated polyamide 46 (HPA) as well as a commercial membrane of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were examined. While the bacteria in the free-cell digester were washed out, the membrane bioreactor succeeded in retaining them. Cross-flow of the liquid through the membrane surface and diffusion of the substrate through the membranes, using no extra driving force, allowed the bacteria to receive nutrients and to produce biogas. However, the choice of membrane type was crucial. Synthesized hydrophobic PA membrane was not effective for this purpose, producing 50-121 mL biogas/day, while developed HPA membrane and the reference PVDF were able to transfer the nutrients and metabolites while retaining the cells, producing 1102-1633 and 1016-1960 mL biogas/day, respectively.

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“…One of them can be successfully used in the biodegradation detection e.g. scanning electron microscopy (SEM), weight loss or respirometry (for mineralization indicate) [13][14][15]. Others can also evaluate the effects and degree of biodegradation caused by microorganism growth e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%