Fungal degradation of carbohydrate-linked polystyrenes

A series of carbohydrate molecules like glucose, sucrose and lactose were linked to maleic anhydride functionalized polystyrene by polymer analogous reactions to produce biodegradable polymers. Pure culture system was used for evaluating the biodegradability of these sugar linked polystyrene-maleic anhydride copolymers by known fungal test organisms. Weight loss measurements after fungal treatment confirmed the biodegradability of the carbohydrate-linked polymers, and it was observed that the degree of susceptibility to degradation varied with the type of test organism as well as with the type of sugar. FTIR spectra confirmed the degradation of the polymer. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.