Several samples of cellulose acetate polymers with varying degrees of substitution (DS) between 0.7 and 1.7 have been prepared and tested for their biodegradation potential. The original and biodegraded polymers were characterized using chemical techniques as well as nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, solution viscosity and X-ray diffraction. DS, solubility and crystallinity have been investigated as possible factors affecting biodegradability.