Compounds released from unused biodegradable mulch materials after contact with water

Biodegradable plastics (BDP) are an alternative to environmental and economical drawbacks of PE agricultural mulches. They are intended to biodegrade into the soil or in compost. BDP materials certified as biodegradable in soil or in compost have passed ecotoxicity biotests after biodegradation, but most BDP ecotoxicity studies do not provide insights on the components these materials may release. The present work aims to characterize the compounds released from BDP to water solutions before biodegradation.