Potential plastic digestor of Euphorbia Tirucalli

Abstract

Natural products that cause oxidative stress and local corrosion are of interest in the degradation of persistent materials such as plastics. This chapter evaluated the corrosive and shrinkage physicochemical action of aqueous extracts of Euphorbia tirucalli on polypropylene (PP-5) subjected to temperature variations. Despite observations regarding potential practical applications, raw latexes from tested geographic regions did not chemically digest isopropylene. It is suggested that effective plastic digestion requires the presence of a specific endophytic fungus. Further tests will be conducted to investigate phytoremediation mechanisms.