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Science 2 August 2002:
Vol. 297. no. 5582, pp. 803 - 807
DOI: 10.1126/science.297.5582.803
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Biodegradable Polymers for the Environment

Richard A. Gross, Bhanu Kalra

Biodegradable polymers are designed to degrade upon disposal by the action of living organisms. Extraordinary progress has been made in the development of practical processes and products from polymers such as starch, cellulose, and lactic acid. The need to create alternative biodegradable water-soluble polymers for down-the-drain products such as detergents and cosmetics has taken on increasing importance. Consumers have, however, thus far attached little or no added value to the property of biodegradability, forcing industry to compete head-to-head on a cost-performance basis with existing familiar products. In addition, no suitable infrastructure for the disposal of biodegradable materials exists as yet.

Polytechnic University, National Science Foundation Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing of Macromolecules, Six Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA. E-mail: rgross{at}duke.poly.edu

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Cutinase-Like Enzyme from the Yeast Cryptococcus sp. Strain S-2 Hydrolyzes Polylactic Acid and Other Biodegradable Plastics.
K. Masaki, N. R. Kamini, H. Ikeda, and H. Iefuji (2005)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 71, 7548-7550
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Functional Replacement of the Escherichia coliD-(-)-Lactate Dehydrogenase Gene (ldhA) with the L-(+)-Lactate Dehydrogenase Gene (ldhL) from Pediococcus acidilactici.
S. Zhou, K. T. Shanmugam, and L. O. Ingram (2003)
Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 69, 2237-2244
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Green Chemistry: Science and Politics of Change.
M. Poliakoff, J. M. Fitzpatrick, T. R. Farren, and P. T. Anastas (2002)
Science 297, 807-810
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)