Ecotoxicity Evaluation of the Biodegradable Polymers PLA, PBAT and its Blends Using Allium cepa as Test Organism

Author(s)

Palsikowski, Paula A. ^[1] ; Roberto, Matheus M. ^[2] ; Sommaggio, Lais R. D. ^[2] ; Souza, Patricia M. S. ^[1] ; Morales, Ana R. ^{[1, 3]} ; Marin-Morales, Maria A. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] State Univ Campinas UNICAMP, Sch Chem Engn, Dept Mat Engn & Bioproc, Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[2] UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol, Inst Biosci, Rio Claro - Brazil

^[3] Albert Einstein Ave, 500 Cidade Univ, BR-13083852 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT; v. 26, n. 3, p. 938-945, MAR 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers are considered a feasible option to minimize the environment impacts of high disposal of solid waste. Nevertheless, environmental safety of these materials is a few explored issue. In this context, this study evaluated ecotoxicological effects in soil of the biodegradable materials poly(lactic acid)-PLA, poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate)-PBAT and their blends compatibilized with a chain extender. The tool used for this analysis was the bioassay with Allium cepa as test organism. The studied materials were not phytotoxic, cytotoxic, genotoxic nor mutagenic for meristematic cells of A. cepa. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/09883-5 - Environmental impact assessment and the genotoxic and mutagenic effects of biodegradable polymers
• Grantee: Ana Rita Morales
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants