Microbial degradation of an aliphatic polyester with a high melting point, poly(tetramethylene succinate)

Article Abstract:

The number of micro-organisms in most of the soil samples tested which degraded poly(tetramethylene succinate) (PTMS) was less than the number of organisms that degraded poly(epsilon-caprolactone). However, in those soils where a clear zone is formed during degradation of PTMS, the number of PTMS-degrading micro-organisms is high. The size of the PTMS particles and the crystal structure affect the rate of degradation. The PTMS-degrading micro-organisms can degrade a number of compounds because they secrete a number of enzymes.

Plastics, Microorganisms, Biodegradable plastics

Degradation of polycarbonate by a polyester-degrading strain, Amycolatopsis sp. strain HT-6

Article Abstract:

Research was conducted to examine the degradation of polycarbonate by a polyester-degrading strain, Amycolatopsis sp strain HT-6. A 59% degradation was obtained in a liquid culture with 150 mg of poly(tetramethylene carbonate) film but with a low yield of cell growth. A copolyester carbonate was found favorable for blending with starch when a process under high moisture conditions is required for fluidizing or gelatinizing the starch in an extruder.

Polycarbonates, Polyesters, Carbonates

Polylactide degradation by an Amycolatopsis sp

Article Abstract:

Plate count and clear-zone techniques were applied to show that polylactide (PLA)-degrading microorganisms are sparsely distributed in soil environments. An Amycolatopsis isolate was successfully isolated. Microbial degradation of PLA film was illustrated, i.e., approximately 60% of the 100-mg film initially added was degraded by the strain after 14 days of liquid culture.

Lactic acid