Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
11
Analytical Methods for Monitoring Biodegradation Processes
of Environmentally Degradable Polymers
Maarten van der Zee
11.1
Introduction
This chapter presents an overview of the current knowledge on experimental
methods for monitoring the biodegradability of polymeric materials. The focus is,
in particular, on the biodegradation of materials under environmental conditions.
Examples of
in vivo
degradation of polymers used in biomedical applications are
not covered in detail but have been extensively reviewed elsewhere, e.g., [1-3].
Nevertheless, it is good to realize that the same principles of the methods for
monitoring biodegradability of environmental polymers are also used for the
evaluation of the degradation behavior of biomedical polymers.
A number of different aspects of assessing the potential, the rate, and the degree
of biodegradation of polymeric materials are discussed. The mechanisms of
polymer degradation and erosion receive attention and factors affecting enzymatic
and nonenzymatic degradation are briefl y addressed. Particular attention is given
to the various ways for measuring biodegradation, including complete mineraliza-
tion to gasses (such as carbon dioxide and methane), water, and possibly microbial
biomass. Finally, some general conclusions are presented with respect to measur-
ing biodegradability of polymeric materials.
11.2
Some Background
There is a worldwide research effort to develop biodegradable polymers for agri-
cultural applications or as a waste management option for polymers in the envi-
ronment. Until the end of the 20th century, most of the efforts were synthesis
