An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment
The present study aims to explore the degradation process of compostable, starch-based (i.e., Mater-Bi<sup>®</sup>) shopping bags in the marine environment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mixing model applied to the isotopic d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-09-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/19/10851 |
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| author | Federico Rampazzo Nicoletta Calace Malgorzata Formalewicz Seta Noventa Claudia Gion Lucia Bongiorni Amelia De Lazzari Valerio Causin Daniela Berto |
| author_facet | Federico Rampazzo Nicoletta Calace Malgorzata Formalewicz Seta Noventa Claudia Gion Lucia Bongiorni Amelia De Lazzari Valerio Causin Daniela Berto |
| author_sort | Federico Rampazzo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The present study aims to explore the degradation process of compostable, starch-based (i.e., Mater-Bi<sup>®</sup>) shopping bags in the marine environment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mixing model applied to the isotopic data suggested that the compostable shopping bags had a mixed composition with a higher percentage of polyesters (61% to 72%). Changes in the isotopic composition over a 73-day period of marine water immersion showed a decrease in the corn starch constituent (of 14% to 13%), with a similar rate in both types of bags in accordance with the evidence derived from the infrared spectra. The time required for complete degradation of the starch fraction was estimated by an isotopic approach from 124 to 180 days, following zero-order kinetics. The coupled application of these two analytical methodologies promises to (i) show complementary evidence regarding the time-course degradability of different polymers via FTIR changes, and (ii) infer potential degradation mechanisms via carbon isotope analyzes. We encourage the use of this information to support advancements in the development of more sustainable-by-design plastic materials. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:49:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3fd714c3aa2a4286bc422a4753ee9f39 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:49:25Z |
| publishDate | 2023-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-3fd714c3aa2a4286bc422a4753ee9f392023-11-19T14:05:03ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172023-09-0113191085110.3390/app131910851An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine EnvironmentFederico Rampazzo0Nicoletta Calace1Malgorzata Formalewicz2Seta Noventa3Claudia Gion4Lucia Bongiorni5Amelia De Lazzari6Valerio Causin7Daniela Berto8Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Brondolo 5, 30015 Chioggia, ItalyIstituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, ItalyIstituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Brondolo 5, 30015 Chioggia, ItalyIstituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Brondolo 5, 30015 Chioggia, ItalyIstituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Brondolo 5, 30015 Chioggia, ItalyConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Tesa 104–Arsenale, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, ItalyConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Scienze Marine, Tesa 104–Arsenale, Castello 2737/F, 30122 Venezia, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, ItalyIstituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Brondolo 5, 30015 Chioggia, ItalyThe present study aims to explore the degradation process of compostable, starch-based (i.e., Mater-Bi<sup>®</sup>) shopping bags in the marine environment using isotope ratio mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The mixing model applied to the isotopic data suggested that the compostable shopping bags had a mixed composition with a higher percentage of polyesters (61% to 72%). Changes in the isotopic composition over a 73-day period of marine water immersion showed a decrease in the corn starch constituent (of 14% to 13%), with a similar rate in both types of bags in accordance with the evidence derived from the infrared spectra. The time required for complete degradation of the starch fraction was estimated by an isotopic approach from 124 to 180 days, following zero-order kinetics. The coupled application of these two analytical methodologies promises to (i) show complementary evidence regarding the time-course degradability of different polymers via FTIR changes, and (ii) infer potential degradation mechanisms via carbon isotope analyzes. We encourage the use of this information to support advancements in the development of more sustainable-by-design plastic materials.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/19/10851biopolymersshopping bagscarbon isotopesIRMSFTIRbiodegradation |
| spellingShingle | Federico Rampazzo Nicoletta Calace Malgorzata Formalewicz Seta Noventa Claudia Gion Lucia Bongiorni Amelia De Lazzari Valerio Causin Daniela Berto An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment Applied Sciences biopolymers shopping bags carbon isotopes IRMS FTIR biodegradation |
| title | An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment |
| title_full | An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment |
| title_fullStr | An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment |
| title_short | An FTIR and EA-IRMS Application to the Degradation Study of Compostable Plastic Bags in the Natural Marine Environment |
| title_sort | ftir and ea irms application to the degradation study of compostable plastic bags in the natural marine environment |
| topic | biopolymers shopping bags carbon isotopes IRMS FTIR biodegradation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/19/10851 |
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