Material-specific microbiomes on bioplastics
21. March 2025
Biodegradable plastics made from biogenic raw materials are becoming increasingly important in various sectors, such as the packaging industry or agriculture and forestry. In the construction industry, too, replacing fossil-based materials is playing an increasingly important role in the context of sustainability.
In particular, for less stressed components, which have so far been made of plastics, or for insulation materials, bio-based and biodegradable plastics represent a promising alternative. In contrast to packaging, however, these materials must be durable and resistant to microorganisms under the conditions of use.
To assess the microbiological resistance of bioplastics, the laboratory methods developed for plastics are used. However, the selection of test organisms often does not take into account a possible special microbiome for bioplastics. However, this consideration is of great importance for a comprehensive risk analysis, both in terms of colonisation of the material and possible damage that could lead to a loss of function. This aspect is the focus of a current research project in which microbial communities on bioplastics are examined as a function of environmental conditions and characterised with regard to their potential for damage.
In doing so, not only the conditions of use are taken into account, but also the scenarios of uncontrolled disposal in the environment. Microbial colonisation and degradation mechanisms are examined, taking into account the formation of biomicroplastics and persistent substances. In this context, test methods for microbial material resistance during use, as well as for degradation behaviour and risk analysis during disposal in the environment, are further developed.
The project with the funding code 49VF240005 is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection within the framework of the INNO-KOM funding guideline module ‘Pre-competitive research’.
Contact person at the IHD:
Dipl.-Biol. Katharina Plaschkies
katharina.plaschkies@ihd-dresden.de