Correlation between chemical and solid-state structures and enzymatic hydrolysis in novel biodegradable polyesters. The case of poly(propylene alkanedicarboxylate)s

Macromol Biosci. 2008 Aug 11;8(8):728-40. doi: 10.1002/mabi.200800035.

Abstract

A series of seven fast-biodegrading aliphatic polyesters were prepared from 1,3-propanediol and aliphatic diacids with increasing number of methylene units (x). Melting points decreased from PPSu to PPAd and then increased again to PPAz and PPSeb. Crystallization rates and thermal stability increased steadily with increasing x. Glass transition temperatures decreased steadily to PPPim and subsequently increased. Enzymatic degradation of the polymers in the presence of a mixture of Rhizopus delemar and Pseudomonas cepacia lipases was much faster than that of poly(epsilon-caprolactone). All the polyester specimens were almost disintegrated within 36 h. PPSub exhibited the fastest enzymatic hydrolysis rates, PPAd and PPSuc the slowest.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry*
  • Burkholderia cepacia / enzymology*
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry*
  • Hydrolysis
  • Lipase / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polyesters / chemical synthesis
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Rhizopus / enzymology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Polyesters
  • Lipase