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Biodegradation of aliphatic polyesters

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Degradable Polymers

Summary

Aliphatic polyesters presently constitute the most attractive class of artificial polymers which can degrade in contact with living tissues or under outdoor conditions. Work has been in progress for the last two decades which has led to their applications in surgery and in pharmacology. Basically, these compounds are also of interest for outdoor applications such as packagings or mulch films and in plant therapy by controlled delivery of pesticides or insecticides in agriculture, although they are still too expensive. Factors which can affect their biodegradation have been investigated world-wide. However, the literature contains confusing statements and controversial data. This chapter is aimed at clarifying the state-of-the-art. After general considerations, including comments on terminology and on enzymatic, hydrolytic degradation mechanisms, discussion is focused on the effects of influencing factors, namely, main structural parameters, the presence of chemically active additives, and the composition of degradation media. Although poly(α-hydroxyacids) derived from lactic and glycolic acids are, by far, the most important members of the aliphatic polyester family, the poly(β-hydroxyacids) and other aliphatic polyesters such as poly(ε-caprolactone), polydioxanones, etc. are also considered.

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Authors
  1. Suming Li
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  2. Michel Vert
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University, B4 7ET, Birmingham, UK

    Gerald Scott (Professor Emeritus in Polymer Science) (Professor Emeritus in Polymer Science)

  2. Plastor Technology, 300060, Hazorea, Israel

    Dan Gilead (Founder and Director of the College of Plastics Technology of Israel) (Founder and Director of the College of Plastics Technology of Israel)

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Li, S., Vert, M. (1995). Biodegradation of aliphatic polyesters. In: Scott, G., Gilead, D. (eds) Degradable Polymers. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0571-2_4

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