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Anaerobic Biodegradation of Poly (Lactic Acid) Film in Anaerobic Sludge

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Abstract

The anaerobic biodegradation rates of four different sizes of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) films (thickness 25 μm) in anaerobic sludge at 55 °C were examined. The anaerobic biodegradation rates of small pieces of PLA film were slower than for large pieces of PLA film. We also examined whether PLA film could also be used as a reference material in the anaerobic biodegradation test in addition to PLA powder. The anaerobic biodegradation rate of PLA film became slower with lower activity sludge, but the rate of decrease was gradual, and the anaerobic biodegradation rate of PLA film was faster than the PLA powder (125–250 μm). The anaerobic biodegradation rate of the PLA powder (125–250 μm) reflected the plastic anaerobic biodegradation activity of the sludge more accurately than the thin PLA film (thickness 25 μm). Consequently, PLA powder (125–250 μm) is more suitable than thin PLA film (thickness < 25 μm) for use as a reference material to assess the plastic anaerobic biodegradation activity of the sludge in an anaerobic biodegradation test at 55 °C.

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Abbreviations

PLA:

Poly (lactic acid)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Higashi 1-1-1, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8565, Japan

    Hisaaki Yagi, Fumi Ninomiya, Masahiro Funabashi & Masao Kunioka

Authors
  1. Hisaaki Yagi
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  2. Fumi Ninomiya
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  3. Masahiro Funabashi
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  4. Masao Kunioka
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masao Kunioka.

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Yagi, H., Ninomiya, F., Funabashi, M. et al. Anaerobic Biodegradation of Poly (Lactic Acid) Film in Anaerobic Sludge. J Polym Environ 20, 673–680 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-012-0472-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-012-0472-z

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