Abstract

 Plastic materials remain in the nature for decades. Slow degradation of plastics in the environment caused a public trend to biodegradable polymers. The aim of this research was to produce the microbial biodegradable low density polyethylene with potato starch. Degradation of potato starch based low density polyethylene (LDPE) was investigated in soil rich in microorganisms for 8 months. Weight differences of polymeric samples before and after degradation in soil indicated soil biodegradation. Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTIR) approved the result. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and weight change after 84 days’ exposure to Pseudomonas aeruginosa confirmed degradation by microorganisms. In addition, potato starch based LDPE was exposed to 8 different kinds of fungi and the degradation was studied visually. Result confirmed the microbial biodegradability of potato starch based LDPE blend in natural and laboratory condition.

Key words: Low density polyethylene, fungi, biodegradable polymer, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.