BIODEGRADATION OF POLY(HYDROXYBUTYRATE)/POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL) BLENDS BY FILAMENTOUS FUNGI

Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester with very high potential for industrial applications. The properties could be improved by mixing with another polymer, natural or synthetic, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The resulting polymer blends are potentially able to achieve the desired performance for different applications. Biodegradation modifies mechanical, physical and chemical properties of a given material. PHB are degraded by diverse groups of microorganisms, including bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. The aim of present work is to study the behavior of PHB based materials exposed to Aspergillus niger contact. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed the fungal growth and attachment on the surface of films, presence of conidiophores and filaments network. FTIR spectra showed a slightly increased of absorption C=O in 1750-1700 cm(-1) region, higher for composites after 60 days of fungal incubation, indicating the degradation of PHB-PVA composites.