Biodegradation studies of polylactic acid copolymers

Medium molecular weight copolymers were synthesized by the condensation of L-lactic acid (LA), terephthalic acid (TPA) and 1,3-propanediol (PDO). The obtained copolymers were characterized for acid value, hydroxyl value and number average molecular weight. Also, the biodegradation behavior by different fungal species (A spergillus niger, A spergillu s versicolor, A lternaría altern a ta and P enicilliu m ) was performed. The degree of biodegradation was examined by weight loss. It was observed that the biodegradation of copolymer with higher quantity of lactic acid was faster and more effective than the biodegradation of copolymer with smaller quantity of lactic acid