Biodegradable copolyester of trimelletic acid and glycerol - Synthesis, characterization and biodegradation

Five samples of crosslinked copolyesters of trimelletic acid and glycerol in different mole ratios have been synthesized by normal polycondensation at elevated temperatures as tough, transparent, semicrystalline and insoluble solids. These are characterized by their swelling behavior in water and ethanol and by their glass transition temperature (T-g). The polymer sample II synthesized from equimolar amounts of the two monomers has the maximum crosslinking and if is further characterized by its IR spectrum and X' ray diffraction pattern. The polymer sample undergoes microbial degradation by S. marcescens, B. subtilis and E. coli, and also hydrolytic degradation in phosphate buffer, the latter occurring at a much slower rate. Thus the polymer is classified as a biodegradable polymer, and may be used as a matrix for controlled and sustained drug release and in other purposes where a degradable polymer is necessary.