In vitro degradation of a PHB/PHV copolymer and a new technique for monitoring early surface changes.

The use of polyhydroxbutyrate and its copolymers as degradable materials for surgical use is showing increasing promise due to their long degradation profile. Of considerable interest were the interfacial changes and their role in affecting the overall or bulk degradation pattern. The role of pH and its effect on the degradation pattern were examined as polymer degradation significantly altered, depending on whether it was subjected to an alkaline or an acidic medium. In vitro surface changes were monitored using two techniques (scanning electron microscopy and goniophotometry); bulk changes were monitored by gravimetric, mechanical and molecular weight techniques. It was concluded that the bimodal molecular weight distribution plays a significant part in the degradation pattern and that this pattern is also considerably altered by pH.