Efficiency of an Aerobic Bioreactor for Glycopolymer Biodegradation

Biodegradation of plastic materials is an issue of growing concern due to its tremendous environmental impact. This study presents the development of a bioreactor for aerobic biodegradation of a glycopolymer derived from D-mannose and hydroxyl-propyl methacrylate (HPMA). The bioreactor is provided with aeration system, thermoset unit and stirring system. The glycopolymer samples were degraded inside the bioreactor fed with water from Bega River, under aerobic conditions (air flow 2 l/min) at 37 +/- 0.5 degrees C for 23 days. The samples derived from natural raw material displayed good biodegradation pattern losing more than 90% their weight, in just 23 days. FTIR and TG analyses run before and after degradation showed that the microorganisms tended to use the sugar moiety as carbon source in first instance, then they turn to synthetic carbon. The kinetic study based on the mathematical Logistic growth model proved adequate for the modeling of the weight loss vs. time. The bioreactor proved as an efficient tool for plastic material biodegradation under aerobic conditions.