Biodegradable Resin Degradation via Alkaline Enzymatic Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biodegradable resins, such as polylactic acid, have a low hydrolysis rate at low temperatures, limiting their efficiency in shale gas mining, and alternatives like polyglycolic acid are costly and do not provide sufficient degradability under certain conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a buffer solution with a biodegradable resin-degrading enzyme, specifically Savinase, Esperase, or Proteinase K, at a pH of 7.5 or higher, where no anion from the buffer component is present on one side of the equilibrium, is used to degrade biodegradable resins like polylactic acid, enhancing the degradation rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If polylactic acid is used as a biodegradable resin, then environmental sustainability is improved, but degradation rate at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the degradation environment to 7.5 or higher, which activates the enzyme's catalytic activity and enables rapid degradation of polylactic acid at low temperatures, resolving the contradiction between environmental sustainability and degradation rate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an enzyme as an intermediary substance that mediates the degradation process. The enzyme acts as a catalyst that enables polylactic acid degradation at low temperatures under alkaline conditions, overcoming the temperature limitation while maintaining environmental sustainability
2Productivity
If polyglycolic acid is used instead of polylactic acid, then degradation rate is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to 7.5 or higher, which enables polylactic acid (a lower-cost material) to degrade rapidly without requiring polyglycolic acid, thus achieving high degradation rate while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the use of polylactic acid, which is cheaper than polyglycolic acid, by creating conditions (alkaline pH with enzyme) that allow it to degrade rapidly, effectively replacing the more expensive polyglycolic acid while maintaining performance
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polylactic acid is used at low temperatures, then environmental sustainability is maintained, but degradation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to 7.5 or higher, which compensates for the low temperature effect and enables efficient degradation of polylactic acid, resolving the contradiction between maintaining environmental sustainability and achieving degradation efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an enzyme as an intermediary that facilitates polylactic acid degradation at low temperatures under alkaline conditions, enabling reliable degradation efficiency while maintaining environmental sustainability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for rapid and efficient degradation of biodegradable resins, improving their degradability and reducing costs compared to polyglycolic acid, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
polylactic acid is hydrolyzed to lose the shape as a resin
Implementation Method 2
degrading the biodegradable resin in a buffer solution containing a biodegradable resin-degrading enzyme
Implementation Method 3
a pH of the buffer solution is adjusted within a pH range which gives conditions for shifting the equilibrium towards the side on which no anion is present
Implementation Method 4
lactic acid is released, and this acid erodes shale in the shale stratum. Hence, lactic acid has a function of promoting the pore formation in the shale
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for efficiently degrading a biodegradable resin. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for degrading a biodegradable resin, the method comprising degrading the biodegradable resin in a buffer solution containing a biodegradable resin-degrading enzyme having an optimum pH of 7.5 or higher, wherein no anion derived from a buffer component is present on one side of an equilibrium equation of buffering of the buffer solution, and a pH of the buffer solution is adjusted within a pH range which gives conditions for shifting the equilibrium towards the side on which no anion is present. Further, the present invention relates to a method for degrading a biodegradable resin, the method comprising degrading the biodegradable resin in an enzymatic reaction liquid containing a biodegradable resin-degrading enzyme having an optimum concentration, wherein the degradation is conducted in a reaction liquid having an enzyme concentration which gives a biodegradable resin degradation ratio of 60% or higher, where a biodegradable resin degradation ratio at said optimum concentration is referred to as 100%.