Biodegradation is a chemical degradation
of materials provoked by the action of microorganisms
such as bacteria, fungi and/or algae. According to the definition, a
biodegradable polymer is “a degradable polymer wherein the primary
degradation mechanism is through the action of metabolism
by microorganisms” (Leja & Lewandowicz, 2010). The most important
factor affecting the biodegradability of polymeric materials
is the chemical structure, which is responsible for functional
group stability, reactivity, hydrophilicity, and swelling behavior.
Some other important factors are inter alia, physical and physicomechanical
properties, e.g. molecular weight, porosity, elasticity
andmorphology (crystalline andamorphous)(Leja & Lewandowicz,
2010).
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