Surface degradation resulting from the action of cells.
Notes: - High molecular mass lactic acid-based polyesters are not bioerodible.
- Some non-human enzymes like proteinase K can cause erosion of lactic acid-based polyesters due to surface enzymatic degradation of lactic acid-based polyesters.
- When hydrophobic compounds are present in a lactic acid-based polymeric matrix, water uptake can be so low that surface hydrolysis is faster than the bulk hydrolysis and causes erosion that can be confused with enzymatic erosion or bioerosion.
Source:
PAC, 2020, 92, 193. 'Nomenclature and terminology for linear lactic acid-based polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 206 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2017-1007)