Evaluation of Commercial Bioplastic Degradation Poli (Β-Hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) Through Anaerobic Biodigestion in Different Ratios Inoculum/Substrate

The growing concern about the environment in recent decades has mobilized several researchers around the world to seek solutions to the problems caused by human action. A very impactful point is the high amount of plastic packaging from oil that is discarded in shape. The use of biodegradable polymers from renewable sources has been highlighted by the possibility of replacing a large portion of polymers from fossil sources. Thus, the present work aimed to conduct the PHB polymer degradation process through anaerobic biodigestion in reactors with batch operation. This process was performed in reactors with a total volume of 500 ml and useful volume of 400 ml. different inoculum/substrate ratios (0.00034; 0.00056; 0.00068; 0.0009 and 0.001 on the basis of volatile solids) were used in order to evaluate the behavior of biopolymer degradation with increased solids in the reactor. The variables of interest were the hydrogenic potential (pH), total solids (TS), volatile total solids (STV), volatile acidity (VA), total alkalinity (TA). With the results obtained it can be concluded that the best reasons for the biodegradation of PHB were 0.00056 and 0.00068 that achieved removal of TS and STV above 40 and 50%.