Synthetic polymer compositions containing antibiotics as antidegradants

Abstract

Synthetic polymer compositions contain antibiotics as antidegradants. Antibiotics from classes of glycopeptides and β-lactams have been found to prevent or inhibit synthetic polymer degradation.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A synthetic polymer composition comprising 
 a synthetic polymer and an antibiotic in an amount to confer an antidegradant effectiveness upon said polymer.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyvinylhalide, polyester, cellulosic, polyepoxy, polysiloxane and polyurethane.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the antibiotic is present in an amount of from about 0.02 to about 5 parts and said polymer is present is an amount of about 100 parts.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said antibiotic is selected from the class of a β-lactam antibiotic and a glycopeptide antibiotic.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein the glycopeptide antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of streptomycin, neomycin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4  wherein said β-lactam antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of amoxicillin, latamoxef, cephamycin, and cefadroxil, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         7 . A method of improving the stability of a synthetic polymer composition consisting essentially of 
 adding an antibiotic to a synthetic polymer in an amount to confer stability upon said polymer.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyvinylhalide, polyester, cellulosic, polyepoxy, polysiloxane and polyurethane.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the antibiotic is present in an amount of from about 0.02 to about 5 parts and said polymer is present is an amount of about 100 parts.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said antibiotic is selected from the class of a β-lactam antibiotic and a glycopeptide antibiotic.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the glycopeptide antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of streptomycin, neomycin, gentamicin, vancomycin, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said β-lactam antibiotic is selected from the group consisting of amoxicillin, latamoxef, cephamycin, and cefadroxil, and mixtures thereof.