Developing novel biodegradable biopolymers with superior barrier properties for use within the drinks industry

The aim of my PhD is to establish the end-of-life behaviour of Professor Chris Chuck's biopolymers. This includes investigations of the microorganisms responsible for the degradation in soil environments, as well as determining the biproducts of this process.

The hope is to reduce plastic litter in the environment. The biopolymer will readily decompose, leaving no toxins, making it marine-safe.

The PhD is a collaboration with Diageo, a global leader in the alcohol industry. Diageo's plan 'Society 2030' is designed to create a more sustainable world, hoping to ensure 100% of plastics are recycled/reused/compostable by 2030.

To begin my PhD I have investigated the affect of cellulase on some of the common materials found in our biopolymers. From these results I now wish to investigate how we can cleave the sugar-acid bond. I will use lipases to test this.

The next step in my PhD is to set up compost plots containing our biopolymers to monitor the degradation over time. I will take samples from the biopolymers and use 16s/28s rRNA sequencing to investigate the microorganisms which are responsible for the degradation. I will set this experiment up within the next few weeks and then again during the summer months to compare the affects of temperature on degradation.

Alongside these experiments I will grow 3 different microorganisms known to produce the cellulase enzyme, under lab conditions using the biopolymers as a sole carbon source. I will measure the release of glucose via a DNS assay to assess the breakdown of the biopolymers.

An additional experiment I wish to set up will investigate whether the biopolymers are edible. I will use stomach enzymes at a low pH to mimic the stomach environment.

Another potential area of interest could be to investigate the breakdown in marine environments.