Biodegradation of Pre-Aged Modified Polyethylene Films

Scanning Electron Microscopy 644 oligomers are generated.After being transported into the cytoplasm the small molecules integrate the metabolism pathways.This so called assimilation is the essential step to produce microbial energy, biomass and primary and secondary metabolites.As mineralisation takes place CO 2 , N 2 , CH 4 , H 2 O and different salts from completely oxidised metabolites are released in the extracellular environment (Lucas et al., 2008).According to the new definition, biodegradation of plastics results from combination of biotic and abiotic factors which act synergistically to decompose organic matter.Such interaction of environmental factors is not only beneficial but, in some cases, required to degrade particularly stable compounds.