Biodegradation Study by Pseudomonas sp. of Flexible Polyurethane Foams Derived from Castor Oil

MARISA SPONTÓN; NATALIA CASÍS; PAULA MAZO; BRENDA RAÚD; LUIS RIOS; ARTURO SIMONETTA; DIANA ESTENOZ

INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 vol. 85 p. 85 - 94

0964-8305

The synthesis and biodegradation of polyurethane foams obtained from environmentally benign processes were studied. Flexible polyurethane foams based on castor oil modified with maleic anhydride (MACO) were synthesized. The synthesis involved a single-stage process by mixing castor oil/MACO (weight ratios 75:25 and 25:75) and 2-4 toluene diisocyanate (TDI) in stoichiometric amount of OH:NCO. The biodegradability studies with cultures of a Pseudomonas sp. strain (DBFIQ-P36) involved incubation periods of 2 months at 37 _C. Polymers were characterized before and after biodegradation by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), INSTRON mechanical tester, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the addition of MACO produces a considerable increase in the rate of degradation and an important change in the chemical and morphological structures. This is due to the presence of ester groups that are vulnerable to chemical hydrolysis and enzymatic attack. The eco-toxicity after the biodegradation was evaluated. Toxic compounds such as primary amines were identified by Gas ChromatographyeMass Spectrometry (GCeMS) in combination with Nuclear Magnetic  Resonance (NMR) as degradation products.