Biodegradable Plastics and Polymers

A selection of the contents. Similarities and differences between biodegradation and non-enzymatic degradation (S.J. Hang et al.). The complexity of the biodegradation of poly(2-hydroxy acid)-type aliphatic polyesters (M. Vert et al.). Biodegradation of polyethers and polyacrylate (F. Kawai). Biodegradation of biosynthetic and chemosynthetic polyhydroxyalkanoates (Y. Doi et al.). Environmental biodegradation of hydrocarbon polymers: Initiation and control (G. Scott). Effects of soil conditions on biodegradation of plastics and responsible microorganisms (M. Kimura et al.). Bacterial synthesis of poly-&bgr;-hydroxyalkanoates with functionalized side chains (R.W. Lenz et al.). Properties and applications of polyhydroxyalkanoates (M.K. Cox). Plastid targeting of the enzymes required for the production of polyhydroxybutyrate in higher plants (C. Nawrath et al.). Enzymatic degradation of polymer blends (Y. Tokiwa, A. Iwamoto). Starch/vinyl-alcohol copolymer interactions (C. Bastioli et al.). Strategy for biodegradability testing in OECD (M. Kitano, Y. Yakabe). Perspectives on standard test methods for biodegradable plastics (R.P. Wool). Field testing of biodegradable plastics (H. Sawada). Governmental policy, regulations and standards (A-C. Albertsson, R.H. Marchessault).