Growth of fungi in latex

Some mold species may be employed to degrade specific polymers, which may be used to destroy a polymer phase in polymer composites. This technique of biodegradation may be used to observe the internal morphology of the composite by scanning electron microscopy. In this study the growth of some fungi species into different latex samples is presented. The latexes, made of different synthetic polymers, were prepared by semi-continuous emulsion polymerization. The obtained polymer dispersions were characterized by quasi-elastic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. The fungi growth was followed by gravimetrical and optical microscopy methods. Higher polymer degradations were detected in systems infested with the Curvularia and Alternaria species. The elastomer latexes constituted a better feeding source for these molds.