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Biodegradation of polyesters and other polymers in soil and compost
Papala, František ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Obruča, Stanislav (advisor)
This diploma thesis studies the biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA) within soil and compost environments. The experimental part of this work is concerned with the differences in degradation across environments and the effects of degraded polymers on the environment itself. Experiments revealed that higher temperature and potentially also higher humidity substantially affect the rate of biodegradation. A significant degradation of all the polymers was observed in the compost medium, while polymers within the soil medium did not demonstrate any visible change nor change in mass after the 8th week of experiment. Even though SEM images revealed slow microbial degradation of soil PHB, this was not seen in any of the soil-incubated PLA samples. This might indicate primarily abiotic mechanism of PLA degradation. Germination and grow tests, which used the prepared polymer-enriched compost as a substrate and fertilizer, respectively, did not in most cases reveal any significant differences between individual plants across substrates. This seems to imply that neither the examined polymers nor their degradation products generated during composting are phytotoxic.
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Identification of DNA from plant foods using molecular techniques
Papala, František ; Langová, Denisa (referee) ; Němcová, Andrea (advisor)
The aim of this bachelor thesis is the identification of plant DNA in a complex matrix using molecular techniques. The work first focuses on a search of literature sources concerned with molecular techniques of DNA identification. Next, it deals theoretically with methods of isolation and characterization of plant DNA. Specifically, we shall work with blueberry DNA. In the experimental part, DNA from four commercial products was isolated and subsequently subjected to PCR and HRM analysis.
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Biodegradation of polyesters and other polymers in soil and compost
Papala, František ; Smilek, Jiří (referee) ; Obruča, Stanislav (advisor)
This diploma thesis studies the biodegradation of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polylactic acid (PLA) within soil and compost environments. The experimental part of this work is concerned with the differences in degradation across environments and the effects of degraded polymers on the environment itself. Experiments revealed that higher temperature and potentially also higher humidity substantially affect the rate of biodegradation. A significant degradation of all the polymers was observed in the compost medium, while polymers within the soil medium did not demonstrate any visible change nor change in mass after the 8th week of experiment. Even though SEM images revealed slow microbial degradation of soil PHB, this was not seen in any of the soil-incubated PLA samples. This might indicate primarily abiotic mechanism of PLA degradation. Germination and grow tests, which used the prepared polymer-enriched compost as a substrate and fertilizer, respectively, did not in most cases reveal any significant differences between individual plants across substrates. This seems to imply that neither the examined polymers nor their degradation products generated during composting are phytotoxic.
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Identification of DNA from plant foods using molecular techniques
Papala, František ; Langová, Denisa (referee) ; Němcová, Andrea (advisor)
The aim of this bachelor thesis is the identification of plant DNA in a complex matrix using molecular techniques. The work first focuses on a search of literature sources concerned with molecular techniques of DNA identification. Next, it deals theoretically with methods of isolation and characterization of plant DNA. Specifically, we shall work with blueberry DNA. In the experimental part, DNA from four commercial products was isolated and subsequently subjected to PCR and HRM analysis.
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