Factors affecting polyhydroxyalkanoates biodegradation in soil

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polymers with widespread applications, from medical devices to packaging. PHAs can be biodegradable in natural environments, such as soil, but the blend of PHA with other materials can change the polymer properties and consequently affect the biodegradation process. The composition of the microbial communities in soil also significantly affects the biodegradation, but other factors such as temperature, pH, and soil moisture, can also be determinant. These ecological and physic/chemical factors change in different seasons and in different soil layers. It is essential to know how these factors influence the PHAs biodegradation to understand the impact of PHAs in nature. This review compiles the results on PHA polymers and PHA blends biodegradation, with focus on laboratory tests. The main factors affecting PHA's biodegradation in soil, both in laboratory tests and in the environment are also discussed.