• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.342-349
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• 2017

Polylactic acid (PLA) has been highlighted as an alternative renewable polymer for the replacement of petroleum-based plastic materials, and is considered to be biodegradable. On the other hand, the biodegradation of PLA by terminal degraders, such as microorganisms, requires a lengthy period in the natural environment, and its mechanism is not completely understood. PLA biodegradation studies have been conducted using mainly undefined mixed cultures, but only a few bacterial strains have been isolated and examined. For further characterization of PLA biodegradation, in this study, the PLA-degrading bacteria from digester sludge were isolated and identified using a polymer film-based screening method. The enrichment of sludge on PLA granules was conducted with the serial transference of a subculture into fresh media for 40 days, and the attached biofilm was inoculated on a PLA film on an agar plate. 3D optical microscopy showed that the isolates physically degraded the PLA film due to bacterial degradation. 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the microbial colonies to be Pseudomonas sp. MYK1 and Bacillus sp. MYK2. The two isolates exhibited significantly higher specific gas production rates from PLA biodegradation compared with that of the initial sludge inoculum.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.334-340
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• 2003

In order to fabricate new sustained delivery device of nerve growth factor (NGF), we developed NGF-loaded biodegradable poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA, the mole ratio of lactide to glycolide 75:25, molecular weight: 83,000 and 43,000 g/mole, respectively) film by novel and simple sandwich solvent casting method for the possibility of the application of neural tissue engineering. PLGA was copolymerized by direct condensation reaction and the molecular weight was controlled by reaction time. Released behavior of NGF from NGF-loaded films was characterized by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and degradation characteristics were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The bioactivity of released NGF was identified using a rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cell based bioassay. The release of NGF from the NGF-loaded PLGA films was prolonged over 35 days with zero-order rate of 0.5-0.8 ng NGF/day without initial burst and could be controlled by the variations of molecular weight and NGF loading amount. After 7 days NGF released in phosphate buffered saline and PC-12 cell cultured on the NGF-loaded PLGA film for 3 days. The released NGF stimulated neurite sprouting in cultured PC-12 cells, that is to say, the remained NGF in the NGF/PLGA film at 37 $^{\circ}C$ for 7 days was still bioactive. This study suggested that NGF-loaded PLGA sandwich film is released the desired period in delivery system and useful neuronal growth culture as nerve contact guidance tube for the application of neural tissue engineering.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.218-224
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• 2014

Biodegradable conductive composite films of polylactic acid(PLA) were prepared with various amounts of polyaniline(PAni) doped with dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (DBSA) by solution blending technique to identify their mechanical and electric properties. 15 mol% of DBSA doped PAni was easily obtained by polymerizing of aniline in the presence of APS and DBSA in THF at $0^{\circ}C$. FE SEM characterization showed that PAni were well spread on the PLA domains. The tensile strength of composite film with 15 wt% of PAni was significantly decreased from $565.3kg_f/cm^2$ for PLA film itself to $309.7kg_f/cm^2$. Elongations of all PAni/PLA composite films were also decreased up to 3-6%. Electrical conductivity of $2.9{\times}10^{-3}$ S/cm could be achieved for the composite film containing 15 wt% of PAni-DBSA. Thermal stability of these composite films measured by thermogravimetric analysis(TGA) showed a slight decrease with the amount of PAni in PAni/PLA composite films at temperature lower than $300^{\circ}C$. However, the final weight of char was strongly depended with the amount of PAni in original composite films. Conclusively, PAni/PLA composite films containing more than a 15 wt% of PAni could be used for intercepting electromagnetic and preventing electrostatic applications.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2013

Fibers of microbial polyesters, poly(3-hydroxy butyrate) (PHB) and poly(3-hydroxy butyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (HB-co-HV) were prepared by electrospinning method. The obtained fibers were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and oil absorption. The formation of fibers was strongly dependent on a concentration of solution. At a low concentration, the fibers contained beads which is from aggregation of polymer due to short evaporation time. The fine fibers with $2-5{\mu}m$ diameter were obtained at 20 wt% concentration. The contact angle measurement showed that the fiber had higher water contact angle than the film due to the lotus-like effect. Oil absorbency showed that the fiber had higher than the film. Specially, the HB-co-HV fiber which was spinned from 20 wt% absorbed 65% oil which is much higher than that of a normal polypropylene-based oil paper.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2014

Agar-based composite films were prepared with variety of food processing and agricultural processing waste materials in order to screen natural lingo-cellulosic resources for the value-added utilization of the under-utilized materials. The effect of these waste materials (10 wt% based on agar) on mechanical properties, moisture content (MC), water vapor permeability (WVP), water absorption behavior of biocomposite films were investigated. Biocomposite films prepared with various fibers resulted in significant increase or decrease in color and percent transmittance. The MC, WVP, and surface hydrophobicity of biocomposite films increased significantly by incorporation of fibers, while the water uptake ratio and solubility of the film decreased. SEM images of biocomposite film showed better adhesion between the fiber and agar polymer. Among the tested cellulosic waste materials, rice wine waste, onion and garlic fibers were promising for the value-added utilization as a reinforcing material for the preparation of biocomposite food packaging films.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

The application of starch-based films is limited by the poor water vapor barrier and mechanical properties. In this study, plasticized octenyl-succinated corn starch (OTPS) was mixed into Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with various concentration (0/0.25/0.5/0.75 wt%) of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) to enhance the mechanical properties and the hydrophobicity of blends. Tensile Strength and elongation at break of PBAT/OTPS film was slightly strengthened as the added ratio of ESO raised to 0.5 wt%, yet lessened again in 0.75 wt% sample. The yield strength and elastic modulus were highest in 0.25wt% of ESO added. In thermal properties, the melting temperature (T_m) and crystallization temperature (T_c) were highest at ESO 0.25 and the maximum degradation temperature (T_max) of components of the films were developed as ESO added. Also, it has been proved that the addition of hydrophobic substances reduces the hydrophilicity of the film by contact angle. This suggests the use of epoxidized oil for preparing films based on high TPS content allows obtaining enhanced interfacial adhesion. This study confirmed that ESO acts as a compatibilizer between OTPS and PBAT to improve the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of the sample. The sample containing 0.5wt% of ESO was the most suitable for packaging application.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.631-637
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• 2008

Self-standing mesoporous bioactive glass/poly($\varepsilon$-caprolactone) composite thin films with good molding capability, bioactivity, and biocompatibility in vitro, which may find potential applications in tissue engineering and drug storage, were prepared using a combination of the sol-gel, polymer templating, and water casting method. The thickness of self-standing films was affected by the difference of dielectric constant between distilled water and organic solvent.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.04a
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• pp.379-380
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• 2002

Biodegradable polymers have been regarded as a good alternative to solve the plastic waste problems caused by nondegradable synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene. In the soil environment, plastics are mainly being used as a mulching film for agricultural purposes. In this research, the miscibility, tensile properties and biodegradation effect of poly-${\varepsilon}$-caprolactone(PCL) with polyvinyl chloride(PVC) have been studied. After 8 weeks of biodegradation, PCL/PVC(9/91) blend surface showed newly formed many holes. Consequently, the antiplasticization phenomenon and biodegradation were observed in the PCL/PVC blends. It was confirmed that a test for general biodegradation condition can be applied to plastic biodegradation in soil.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF PACKAGING SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2009

It is now widely recognized that the disposal of packaging waste is an increasing environmental concern. Recent interest in polymer waste management of packaging materials has added incentive to the research. Poly(vinyl alcohol) is a readily biodegradable water-soluble polymer. However, this polymer cannot be processed by conventional extrusion technologies because the melting point of PVA is close to its decomposition temperature. Therefore, PVA films have been mostly prepared by solvent casting from water. Applications of PVA include sizing, binders, fibers, and films for agricultural chemicals and hospital laundry bags. A better understanding of PVA films, which also play important roles in the degradation of plastics, will expand the usage of PVA. Composite films based on PVA generally exhibit better mechanical and thermal properties than pure PVA. The aim of this review article is to review types, formation, and properties of PVA films and PVA based composite films used in packaging related researches.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.446-452
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• 2005

The interactions between the surface of scaffolds and specific cells play an important role in tissue engineering applications. Some cell adhesive ligand peptides including Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) have been grafted into polymeric scaffolds to improve specific cell attachment. In order to make cell adhesive scaffolds for tissue regeneration, biodegradable nonporous poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) films were prepared by using a solvent casting technique with chloroform. The hydrophobic PLLA films were surface-modified by Argon plasma treatment and in situ direct acrylic acid (AA) grafting to get hydrophilic PLLA-g-PAA. The obtained carboxylic groups of PLLA-g-PAA were coupled with the amine groups of Gly-Arg-Asp-Gly (GRDG, control) and GRGD as a ligand peptide to get PLLA-g-GRDG and PLLA-g-GRGD, respectively. The surface properties of the modified PLLA films were examined by various surface analyses. The surface structures of the PLLA films were confirmed by ATR-FTIR and ESCA, whereas the immobilized amounts of the ligand peptides were 138-145 pmol/$cm^2$. The PLLA surfaces were more hydrophilic after AA and/or RGD grafting but their surface morphologies showed still relatively smoothness. Fibroblast adhesion to the PLLA surfaces was improved in the order of PLLA control