Biodegradação de luvas de látex de borracha natural

Abstract

In this work the evaluation of the action of microorganisms in the biodegrdation of látex gloves was performed, using the burial technique on distinct soil samples, predominantly with the use of fungal strains, according to ASTM G 16-12 standard technique. The influence of cross-linkings, from vulcanization process, was evaluated through comparison between gloves subjected to vulcanization and látex rubber prepared without the addition of vulcanization additives. After each interval, samples were removed from soil and physico-chemical analyses were performed, as well as the morphology through scanning electron microscopy. Thermal stability through thermogravimetric analysis and chemical structure through infrared spectroscopy, beyond visual changes and loss of mass were also performed. The results indicated that the degradation of samples through the microbial consortium took place, being clear that vulcanization acts as a barrier to the process of biodegradation. Beyond this fact, after biodegradation tests in the soil, the presence of microorganisms was confirmed on the surface of the material through scanning electron microscopy. In parallel, the main fungal groups were isolated from the soil as pure cultures, and their role as biodegradation agents were studied for gloves and natural rubber latex