Sustainability for new polymers incorporated with essential oils with antifungal properties: analysis of disintegration in compost soil

• Grant number: 21/10800-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Silvia Pierre Irazusta
• Grantee: Leandro Soares Fernandes Fogaça
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia de Sorocaba (FATEC Sorocaba). Centro Paula Souza (CEETEPS). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polymers comprise a wide variety of types for the most diverse applications. However, most of these products originate from non-renewable sources, are derived from petroleum, and have a long period of degradation in the environment. This fact increases the concern with the pollution caused by these materials in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. For this reason, the interest in the development of polymers originated from renewable sources, such as biopolymers, grows every day. This study aims to test the biodegradability of a blend consisting of PHB and PLA biopolymers incorporated with tea tree essential oil, in compost soil. The method used will be through the disintegration test in compost soil, in accordance with DIN EN 14045:2003. The characterization of the biowaste must meet the DIN EN 14045 standard. For the preparation of the test material, three samples of each material (PVA, PHB, and PVA/PHB blend) are cut, for each period of 4, 8, and 12 weeks respectively, and will be buried in a tray containing biowaste. At the end of each incubation period, a sample of each material will be removed, washed, dried at room temperature, weighed, and submitted to characterization tests. A sample of pure biowaste will be kept under the same conditions for control in the phytotoxicity assay with Lactuca sativa and ecotoxicity with Eisenia Andrei. With the study, it is expected to prove the degradability property of the PVA-PHB film incorporated with tea tree essential oil, and the absence of toxicity of its residues, contributing to its environmental safety. (AU)