Abstract
Poly (sodium carboxylate) s containing glucopyranose residues as biodegrading segments in the polymer chain were prepared from starch by partial conversion of the vicinal diols of glucopyranose units into the corresponding dicarboxylates via dialdehydes. Their biodegradability and building performance in detergents were examined. Relation of glucopyranose group content in the polymer chain with biodegradability as well as functionality are discussed. Polycarboxylates containing glucopyranose residues as biodegradable segments were shown to have improved biodegradability and better building performance in detergents, and thus may be useful as biodegrading units in a polymer. Some microbes capable of degrading polycarboxylates were isolated by an enrichment culture technique from activated sludge. Biodegradability and building performance in detergents of the polycarboxylates were also found to vary inversely with the degree of dicarboxylation. Polymers with a lower degree of dicarboxylation, e.g. a higher glucopyranose content, showed better biodegradability.
