Biodegradation of starch and acrylic‐grafted starch by Aspergillus niger

The biodegradation of starch and grafted starch by Aspergillus niger was examined. The grafted polymers were poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(butyl acrylate) (PBA). Thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the morphology and degradation degree of each material. The temperature of maximum decomposition for starch decreased as enzymatic degradation proceeded, and it was completed on the 8th day of culturing in a liquid medium. Grafted samples with PMMA and PBA achieved degradation of their starch moiety. PBA in starch-g-PBA samples hindered the accessibility of the enzymes to the degradable material, and this resulted in a longer degradation time.

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