Biopolymers & Bioplastics

Biography

Biography: Jakub Fojt

Abstract

Mankind is replacing oil-based plastics by so-called biodegradable bioplastics to prevent plastic pollution. However, bioplastics can biodegrade under specific conditions, which are not common in nature. Thus, also bioplastics could potentially become a source of microplastic debris. Unlike in aqueous systems, the soil microplastic contamination is very hard to determine due to matrix complexity and currently, there is still lack of analytical methods to determine easily microplastics coming bioplastics. In fact, the most difficult part of analysis is soil sample pre-treatment and preconcentration or extraction of bioplastics. In this work, we present data on use of evolved gas analysis (EGA, combination of thermal degradation and mass spectrometry). It allows a direct analysis of microplastic debris and its application was successfully demonstrated for determination oil-based microplastics. In this work, as a model bioplastic was used polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). We demonstrate a quick and easy EGA method for determination of PHB microplastics in soil and other solid matrix with possible differentiation of anthropogenic PHB from natural PHB. In addition, this method could be used for verification of biodegradation tests and contamination evaluation of soil after applying compost containing biodegradable bioplastic.