Biodegradation of Synthetic Polyesters (BTA and PCL) with Natural Flora in Soil Burial and Pure Cultures under Ambient Temperature

The aim of this study was to study the biodegradation of two synthetic polyesters, one aliphaticaromatic (1, 4-butanediol, terephthalic-adipic acid, BTA) and the other aliphatic (poly (,-caprolactone), PCL, under different soil types (canal shore soil, garden soil, compost and Peat moss, respectively), as well as using locally isolated cultures at ambient temperature. The results showed that the BTA films buried in canal shore and garden soil were degraded faster than that in the other soils. After six weeks about 90, 88 and 80% were degraded in garden, canal shore soil and compost respectively, while only 52% were degraded in Peat moss. On the other hand, 95 and 93% weight loss was obtained for PCL films buried for three weeks in canal shore and garden soil respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscope photos confirm the results of weight loss and revealed the presence of cracks and fungal growth on films buried in different soils. The results with pure cultures, especially with Fusarium solani, also confirmed the biodegradability of two polyesters under ambient temperature. Finally, it could be concluded that both synthetic polyester are degradable under ambient conditions.