Biotic degradation of plastic hygiene products by using pleurotus ostreatus

Abstract

Degradation is any physical or chemical adjustment in polymer due to environment factor, such as heat, moisture, light, chemical conditions and biological activity. The aim of this work was to determine the biotic degradation efficiency of plastic hygiene products by using Pleurotus ostreatus. Sanitary pads and diapers were used as samples. All the samples will be exposed to the Pleurotus ostreatus for 90 days. The degradation efficiencies were analysed based on tensile reduction, morphology and chemical properties of the samples by using universal tensile machine, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), respectively. The tensile reduction percentage for all samples was increase. The morphology and chemical properties of the samples also showed some changes after undergoes 90 days degradation.