INCREASED BIODEGRADATION OF LDPE WITH NONIONIC SURFACTANT

LDPE's with and without 0.5% nonionic surfactant (Tween 80)were subject to biodegradation in salt solutions with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The degradation of LDPE was greater in samples with Tween 80 than in pure LDPE as observed by ATR-FTIR, DSC and chemiluminescence (CL) measurements. In light microscopy a larger number of bacteria were observed on the surface of LDPE with Tween 80 incubated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 60 days than on the surface of pure LDPE. The results indicate a greater susceptibility to biodegradation in the LDPE samples with surfactant than in the corresponding pure LDPE.