Comparative studies on the degradability of poly(ester amide)s derived from L- and L,D-alanine

The hydrolytic degradation of two poly(ester amide)s derived from sebacic a cid, dodecanediol, and alanine in both the quiral L configuration and the r acemic L,D mixture has been studied. The degradation was monitored by follo wing the changes in intrinsic viscosity, mass loss, chemical constitution, and mechanical properties. The results show that these poly(ester amide)s d egrade slowly at 37 degrees C through the ester linkage. Little changes in the Young's modulus of both samples were found at the beginning of the degr adation process. Biodegradation has also been studied by using different en zymes. Papain was the most effective one, although the degradation rate was dependent on the stereochemical composition of the polymer. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.