2015 Volume 27 Issue 2 Pages 46-54
In this study, we have investigated the fading behavior of biodegradable polymers colored with π conjugated monascus color pigment and the inhibition of the discoloring by addition of quercetin as a UV absorber. The colored biodegradable polymers without quercetin rapidly discolored under UV radiation. On the other hand, the polymers with quercetin maintain their color. We have also investigated the discoloring mechanism by MO calculation. The mechanism of the monascus color was estimated as follows. (1) Ring-opening of lactone. (2) Hydration of double bonds. (3) The formation of carbonyl group by cleavage of double bonds.
