Factors influencing the duration of lag phase during in vitro biodegradation of compression-molded, acetylated biodegradable soy protein films

In order to make use of and exploit commercially biodegradable protein-based materials, degradation research is essential to provide information pertinent to the basic production and handling properties of such materials. It seems that the experimental methods utilized to evaluate the lag phases of protein films may be applied to other substrates under various conditions. Techniques used to determine lag phases may provide insight into the degradation challenge of maintaining the integrity of materials during use, followed by its biodegradation upon disposal. Chemically modified agricultural materials demonstrate different lag phases prior to biodegradation with lag phases perhaps quantifying modifications. Acclimated (microorganisms which are adapted or accustomed to an environment) and unacclimated microorganisms were investigated to estimate the lag phase times for soy protein-based materials. Before full degradation developed, a lag phase was observed for the acclimated and unacclimated microorganisms with the unacclimated microorganisms requiring longer periods prior to degradation. 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.