Evaluating Environmental Performance of PLA–Cellulose-Based Biocomposites: A Comprehensive Study on Biodegradability, Compostability, and Ecotoxicity.
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| Title: | Evaluating Environmental Performance of PLA–Cellulose-Based Biocomposites: A Comprehensive Study on Biodegradability, Compostability, and Ecotoxicity. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Costa, Vera L. D.1 (AUTHOR), Videira, Pedro E. M.1,2 (AUTHOR), Mendes, António de O.1,3 (AUTHOR), Duarte, Tomás1,2 (AUTHOR), Valente, Bruno F. A.2 (AUTHOR), Pinto, Paula2,3 (AUTHOR), Gaspar, Alexandre2 (AUTHOR), Viana, Tânia3 (AUTHOR), Fiadeiro, Paulo T.1 (AUTHOR), Curto, Joana M. R.1 (AUTHOR), Amaral, Maria Emília1 (AUTHOR), Costa, Ana P.1 (AUTHOR), Vieira, Joana C.1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Polymers (20734360). Dec2025, Vol. 17 Issue 23, p3232. 24p. |
| Subjects: | Biodegradation, Compostable materials, Environmental toxicology, Sustainable development, Biodegradable materials |
| Abstract: | Increasing concerns about environmental issues have recently intensified the search for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics that minimize ecological impacts. This study evaluates the biodegradability, compostability, and ecotoxicity of a PLA-based biocomposite containing 30–40% micronized cellulose fibers. The material complied with the European limits for fluorine and heavy metals. Biodegradability was assessed through a respirometric test under thermophilic conditions, achieving 81% degradation in 155 days. Thermophilic compostability was evaluated by monitoring the disintegration of injected products made from the biocomposite pellets and cut into pieces with thicknesses of 1.0 mm and 2.1 mm, revealing that increased specific surface area prolongs composting time. Ecotoxicity was tested through seed germination and plant growth assays on barley, onion, sunflower, tomato, and wheat using the biocomposite mature compost mixed (25% and 50%) with a TÜV Austria certified soil. Results showed species-dependent effects: sunflower germination was enhanced, while other plants experienced slight growth delays. No severe phytotoxicity was observed, except for barley and wheat. Despite the proven biodegradability and compostability, the biocomposite product's dimensions influence disintegration and decomposition rates. Furthermore, compost applications may have variable effects on plant development. These findings improved knowledge about sustainable materials performance, raising awareness about more responsible design, consumption, and disposal strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Header | DbId: egs DbLabel: Engineering Source An: 190525001 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Evaluating Environmental Performance of PLA–Cellulose-Based Biocomposites: A Comprehensive Study on Biodegradability, Compostability, and Ecotoxicity. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Costa%2C+Vera+L%2E+D%2E%22">Costa, Vera L. D.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Videira%2C+Pedro+E%2E+M%2E%22">Videira, Pedro E. M.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mendes%2C+António+de+O%2E%22">Mendes, António de O.</searchLink><relatesTo>1,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Duarte%2C+Tomás%22">Duarte, Tomás</searchLink><relatesTo>1,2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Valente%2C+Bruno+F%2E+A%2E%22">Valente, Bruno F. A.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pinto%2C+Paula%22">Pinto, Paula</searchLink><relatesTo>2,3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gaspar%2C+Alexandre%22">Gaspar, Alexandre</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Viana%2C+Tânia%22">Viana, Tânia</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fiadeiro%2C+Paulo+T%2E%22">Fiadeiro, Paulo T.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Curto%2C+Joana+M%2E+R%2E%22">Curto, Joana M. R.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amaral%2C+Maria+Emília%22">Amaral, Maria Emília</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Costa%2C+Ana+P%2E%22">Costa, Ana P.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vieira%2C+Joana+C%2E%22">Vieira, Joana C.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR) – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Polymers+%2820734360%29%22">Polymers (20734360)</searchLink>. Dec2025, Vol. 17 Issue 23, p3232. 24p. – Name: Subject Label: Subjects Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biodegradation%22">Biodegradation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compostable+materials%22">Compostable materials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Environmental+toxicology%22">Environmental toxicology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sustainable+development%22">Sustainable development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Biodegradable+materials%22">Biodegradable materials</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: Increasing concerns about environmental issues have recently intensified the search for sustainable alternatives to conventional plastics that minimize ecological impacts. This study evaluates the biodegradability, compostability, and ecotoxicity of a PLA-based biocomposite containing 30–40% micronized cellulose fibers. The material complied with the European limits for fluorine and heavy metals. Biodegradability was assessed through a respirometric test under thermophilic conditions, achieving 81% degradation in 155 days. Thermophilic compostability was evaluated by monitoring the disintegration of injected products made from the biocomposite pellets and cut into pieces with thicknesses of 1.0 mm and 2.1 mm, revealing that increased specific surface area prolongs composting time. Ecotoxicity was tested through seed germination and plant growth assays on barley, onion, sunflower, tomato, and wheat using the biocomposite mature compost mixed (25% and 50%) with a TÜV Austria certified soil. Results showed species-dependent effects: sunflower germination was enhanced, while other plants experienced slight growth delays. No severe phytotoxicity was observed, except for barley and wheat. Despite the proven biodegradability and compostability, the biocomposite product's dimensions influence disintegration and decomposition rates. Furthermore, compost applications may have variable effects on plant development. These findings improved knowledge about sustainable materials performance, raising awareness about more responsible design, consumption, and disposal strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Polymers (20734360) is the property of MDPI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=egs&AN=190525001 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.3390/polym17233232 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 24 StartPage: 3232 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Biodegradation Type: general – SubjectFull: Compostable materials Type: general – SubjectFull: Environmental toxicology Type: general – SubjectFull: Sustainable development Type: general – SubjectFull: Biodegradable materials Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Evaluating Environmental Performance of PLA–Cellulose-Based Biocomposites: A Comprehensive Study on Biodegradability, Compostability, and Ecotoxicity. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Costa, Vera L. D. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Videira, Pedro E. M. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Mendes, António de O. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Duarte, Tomás – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Valente, Bruno F. A. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Pinto, Paula – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Gaspar, Alexandre – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Viana, Tânia – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Fiadeiro, Paulo T. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Curto, Joana M. R. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Amaral, Maria Emília – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Costa, Ana P. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Vieira, Joana C. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 12 Text: Dec2025 Type: published Y: 2025 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 20734360 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 17 – Type: issue Value: 23 Titles: – TitleFull: Polymers (20734360) Type: main |
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