Solid-Phase Biodegradation of Polylactides (Review).

The main problem associated with the use of polylactides (PLAs) in various fields is the requirement for their controlled degradation in the composition of waste. However, the possibilities of biodegradation of PLAs have not been sufficiently studied. It is assumed that microorganisms can decompose a polymer only after its preliminary chemical hydrolysis and reduction of its molecular weight to 10 000 and less. This review examines the influence of various factors on the abiotic and biotic stages of the degradation of PLAs. Special attention is paid to the peculiarities of polymer biodegradation in the conditions of industrial composting as the most promising method of its processing as part of food waste. The microorganisms involved in the degradation of PLAs, as well as their enzymes, are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]