Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps
Our society lives in a time of transition where traditional petroleum-based polymers/plastics are being replaced by more sustainable alternative materials. To consider these bioproducts as more viable options than the actual ones, it is demanded to ensure that they are fully biodegradable or compost...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/7/1359 |
| _version_ | 1797437993281126400 |
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| author | João Ricardo Afonso Pires Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza Pablo Fuciños Lorenzo Pastrana Ana Luísa Fernando |
| author_facet | João Ricardo Afonso Pires Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza Pablo Fuciños Lorenzo Pastrana Ana Luísa Fernando |
| author_sort | João Ricardo Afonso Pires |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Our society lives in a time of transition where traditional petroleum-based polymers/plastics are being replaced by more sustainable alternative materials. To consider these bioproducts as more viable options than the actual ones, it is demanded to ensure that they are fully biodegradable or compostable and that there is no release of hazardous compounds to the environment with their degradation. It is then essential to adapt the legislation to support novel specific guidelines to test the biodegradability of each biopolymer in varied environments, and consequently, establish consistent data to design a coherent labeling system. This review work aims to point out the current standards that can serve as a basis for the characterization of biopolymers’ biodegradation profile in different environments (soil, compost, and aquatic systems) and identify other laboratory methodologies that have been adopted for the same purpose. With the information gathered in this work, it was possible to identify remaining gaps in existing national and international standards to help establish new validation criteria to be introduced in future research and policies related to bioplastics to boost the sustainable progress of this rising industry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:30:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8bfe65d9b3f5482f8fdf4d217bebd27b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:30:41Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-8bfe65d9b3f5482f8fdf4d217bebd27b2023-11-30T23:53:22ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-03-01147135910.3390/polym14071359Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing GapsJoão Ricardo Afonso Pires0Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza1Pablo Fuciños2Lorenzo Pastrana3Ana Luísa Fernando4MEtRiCS, Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia da Biomassa, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Campus de Caparica, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalMEtRiCS, Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia da Biomassa, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Campus de Caparica, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalInternational Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, PortugalInternational Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL), Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, PortugalMEtRiCS, Departamento de Ciências e Tecnologia da Biomassa, NOVA School of Science and Technology, FCT NOVA, Campus de Caparica, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 2829-516 Caparica, PortugalOur society lives in a time of transition where traditional petroleum-based polymers/plastics are being replaced by more sustainable alternative materials. To consider these bioproducts as more viable options than the actual ones, it is demanded to ensure that they are fully biodegradable or compostable and that there is no release of hazardous compounds to the environment with their degradation. It is then essential to adapt the legislation to support novel specific guidelines to test the biodegradability of each biopolymer in varied environments, and consequently, establish consistent data to design a coherent labeling system. This review work aims to point out the current standards that can serve as a basis for the characterization of biopolymers’ biodegradation profile in different environments (soil, compost, and aquatic systems) and identify other laboratory methodologies that have been adopted for the same purpose. With the information gathered in this work, it was possible to identify remaining gaps in existing national and international standards to help establish new validation criteria to be introduced in future research and policies related to bioplastics to boost the sustainable progress of this rising industry.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/7/1359biopolymerscompostsoilaquatic systemsbiodegradation assayfood packaging |
| spellingShingle | João Ricardo Afonso Pires Victor Gomes Lauriano Souza Pablo Fuciños Lorenzo Pastrana Ana Luísa Fernando Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps Polymers biopolymers compost soil aquatic systems biodegradation assay food packaging |
| title | Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps |
| title_full | Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps |
| title_fullStr | Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps |
| title_full_unstemmed | Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps |
| title_short | Methodologies to Assess the Biodegradability of Bio-Based Polymers—Current Knowledge and Existing Gaps |
| title_sort | methodologies to assess the biodegradability of bio based polymers current knowledge and existing gaps |
| topic | biopolymers compost soil aquatic systems biodegradation assay food packaging |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/7/1359 |
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