INTEMA   05428
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA DE MATERIALES
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Biodegradation of Three-Layer Laminate Films Based on Gelatin under Indoor Soil Conditions
Autor/es:
J.F. MARTUCCI; R.A.RUSECKAITE
Revista:
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
Editorial:
Elsevier
Referencias:
Año: 2009
ISSN:
0141-3910
Resumen:
Three-layer gelatin films, composed of sodium montmorillonite (MMt) - plasticized
gelatin (Ge-5MMt) (inner layer) and dialdehyde starch (DAS) - cross-linked and
plasticized gelatin films (Ge-10DAS) (outer layers), obtained by heat-compression
molding, were submitted to degradation under indoor soil burial conditions for 14 days.
Biodegradation of multilayer film as well as individual components and control gelatin
films was evaluated by monitoring water absorption and weight loss. It was established
that technological treatments performed on gelatin, such as cross-linking, compounding
with clay and heat-compression molding have a major impact on the biodegradation rate
and extent. The possible reasons are discussed. Weight loss results revealed that the
susceptibility to microbial attack during soil burial varied in the order: Ge-10DAS <
multilayer < Ge-5MMt < gelatin control film. The intermediate behaviour of the
multilayer was associated with the presence of hydrogen-bonding interactions between
layers, induced by processing. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the
multilayer was preferentially biodegraded by filamentous microorganisms and even
larvae in the later stages of the process. The presence of holes and pits on the multilayer
surface was more likely attributed to the preferential removal of glycerol and DAS as
shown by thermogravimetric analysis.