Environmental impact assessment and the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of biodegradable polymers

• Grant number: 14/09883-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Ana Rita Morales
• Grantee: Ana Rita Morales
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have been considered as a viable option to minimize the effects of solid waste disposal, however this class of materials is limited to only certain types of polymers, which do not always have the desired properties leading to the modification of polymers. The PLA material with greater potential for application in the market, has as a limitation to suffer biodegradation in composting conditions and composting plants are rare in Brazil . The PBAT is a biodegradable polyester that features easy degradation in soil. PLA has a high rigidity and brittleness while PBAT is highly flexible, which justify the study of compatibilized blends of PLA with PBAT in order to accelerate the decomposition of waste without the composting environment. Studies are being conducted concerning the mechanical properties of blends of PLA/PBAT, but little is known of their behavior in soil degradation . Moreover ecotoxic effects of biodegradable polymers after degradation in compost or soil are rarely studied. This project proposes to study the biodegradation of blends of PLA/PBAT in soil, as well as evaluating the genotoxicity and mutagenicity of substances derived from biodegradation . Alongside the possibility of modification of PLA, mechanical or chemical recycling is the alternative to minimize harm to the environment. In this context the second purpose of this project arises: assessing the environmental impacts caused by the processes of mechanical and chemical recycling of PLA by analyzing the life cycle (LCA ) compared to composting , which is considered the most correct way to dispose of the PLA . (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

PALSIKOWSKI, PAULA ALESSANDRA; KUCHNIER, CAROLINE N.; PINHEIRO, IVANEI F.; MORALES, ANA RITA. Biodegradation in Soil of PLA/PBAT Blends Compatibilized with Chain Extender. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, v. 26, n. 1, p. 330-341, JAN 2018. (14/09883-5)

PALSIKOWSKI, PAULA A.; ROBERTO, MATHEUS M.; SOMMAGGIO, LAIS R. D.; SOUZA, PATRICIA M. S.; MORALES, ANA R.; MARIN-MORALES, MARIA A.. Ecotoxicity Evaluation of the Biodegradable Polymers PLA, PBAT and its Blends Using Allium cepa as Test Organism. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, v. 26, n. 3, p. 938-945, MAR 2018. (14/09883-5)

MORALES, ANA RITA. Mechanical recycling simulation of polylactide using a chain extender. ADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, v. 37, n. 6, p. 2053-2060, OCT 2018. (14/09883-5)

COSATE DE ANDRADE, MARINA F.; SOUZA, PATRICIA M. S.; CAVALETT, OTAVIO; MORALES, ANA R.. Life Cycle Assessment of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA): Comparison Between Chemical Recycling, Mechanical Recycling and Composting. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, v. 24, n. 4, p. 372-384, DEC 2016. (14/09883-5)