Biodegradability of Polyethylene-starch blend polymer in soil (part 2)

Polyethylene-starch blend polymer has already found to be a potential candidate to replace non-degradable plastic in packaging [7]. However, the degradation of that polymer in natural ambience (soil burial test) needs to be further evaluated. The purpose of this study is to investigate the degradability of PE-starch blend polymer in soil and in liquid medium. The soil is added starch degrading bacteria isolated from natural soil. The film is composed of depolymerized tapioca starch and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) grafted with maleic anhydride, using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The changes in the number of microorganisms, mechanical properties, weight losses, and SEM photographs were investigated.