Biodegradability of lignin-polypropylene composite films

Biological degradation of composite lignin-polypropylene films containing 4 % organocell lignin was confirmed by treatment with lignin-degrading enzym es produced by the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The kineti cs of P. chrysosporium culture in the presence of lignin-containing and lig nin-free polypropylene films show that the fungus produced lignin-degrading enzymes into the liquid medium during incubation with the lignin-polypropy lene film. The degree of biodegradation of both types of film was followed by monitoring their mechanical properties. Correlation was found between th e decrease of elongation at break and the amount of released lignin fragmen ts into the extracellular fluid in the course of microbial treatment. The i ncorporation of lignin into polyolefins represents a new Hay of using waste s from pulp and paper industry to reduce the environmental impact factor of waste plastics.