In-vitro hydrolysis rates of bio-based plastics under environmentally relevant temperatures

Bio-degradation assays were performed for bio-based plastics under environmentally relevant temperature between 5 and 30 °C using pH Stat titration. Suspensions of bio-based microparticles were incubated with different hydrolytic enzymes, a lipase from Candida antarctica, an esterase from Bacillus subtilis and a protease from Bacillus licheniformis. Rates of hydrolysis, as determined by counter-titration with a diluted base (NaOH), was recorded for two hours. The thermal profiles of plastic hydrolysis by all three enzymes were investigated. All measurements were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions.