Extended Data Table 1 Mechanical properties of PLA films

From: An engineered enzyme embedded into PLA to make self-biodegradable plastic

  1. The Young’s modulus, tensile strength and elongation at break in machine direction were evaluated to characterize the PLA films generated in the study. Pure PLA 4043D film (100% PLA film) is used as a pure polymer reference. Polymer blends were prepared by incorporation of 16.7% MBCaCO3 and 10% MBPCL in a PLA 4043D matrix either without enzyme (PLA + MBs film control) or with enzyme (PLA + MBs + Proteinase K film and PLA + MBs + ProteinTFLTIER film). Mechanical properties were evaluated either at the initial time of film production or after a long-term storage of 18 months at room temperature and dry conditions or after a long-term storage of 18 months followed by a 1 month immersion in yogurt at 4 °C. Mean values ± s.d. and replicates (n values of independent experiments) are shown. Statistical analysis using two-tailed unpaired Student’s t-tests were performed. No significant statistical difference of Young’s modulus values between 100% PLA film and either PLA + MBs film control, PLA + MBs + Proteinase K film or PLA + MBs + ProteinTFLTIER film was detected either at initial production or after long-term storage of 18 months as well as no statistical difference of Young’s modulus between PLA + MBs film control and PLA + MBs + ProteinTFLTIER film for both conditions was detected. Significant statistical difference of tensile strength values between 100% PLA film and either PLA + MBs film control, PLA + MBs + Proteinase K film or PLA + MBs + ProteinTFLTIER film was detected either at initial production (P = 0.0006, P = 0.0020 and P = 0.0070, respectively) or after long-term storage of 18 months (P = 0.0072, P = 0.0002 and P = 0.0037, respectively). A significant statistical difference of tensile strength value between PLA + MBs film control and PLA + MBs + ProteinTFLTIER film at initial production (P = 0.0360) was calculated but was not confirmed after a long-term storage of 18 months (P = 0.9198). Additional one month immersion in yogurt at 4 °C has no impact on mechanical properties (Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and elongation at break) of the PLA + MBs film control and the PLA + MBs + ProteinTFLTIER film. n.d. not determined.
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