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1995
Conference Paper
Titel
Überprüfung der biologischen Abbaubarkeit und der Kompostierbarkeit von biologisch abbaubaren Werkstoffen in einem praxisnahen Festbett-Labortestsystem
Alternative
Determining the biodegradability and compostability of biologically degradable materials in a solid-state laboratory test system
Abstract
Some factors still impete a wider use of biodegradable materials, i. e.: A nation-wide separate collection of biological waste, a uniform labelling of biodegradable polymers and a standardized laboratory test-system are missing. With the latter the complete biodegradation as well as the compostability need to be proved. A new test-system which fulfills the later requirements is presented and compared with the already existing "controlled composting test" (ASTM D 5338-92). The presented test-system is a mono-substrate system. The polymer is mixed with an inert support material (it does not contain any carbon source) that simulates the conditions of a composting system. The solid-state is inoculated with a nutrient solution and a mixed population of micro-organisms obtained from compost. This mono-substrate system is more easily accessible for analytical examinations. A complete carbon balance can be set up. In contrast to the controlled composting test, the polymer is the only carbon so urce and, therefore, no blank value is necessary. In addition, the degree of mineralisation can not be overlapped by cometabolism of other carbon sources. The controlled composting test and the mono-substrate fixed-bed test were conducted with respect to the rate and degree of mineralisation, and representativity. It was shown that the mono-substrate system is applicable and offers certain advantages.