Biodegradation of polyester-amides using a pure strain of micro-organisms or papain II. Polymer

Two quantitative methods have been used to follow the biodegradation of a polyester-amide containing L-phenylalanine units in the presence of a pure strain of micro-organisms isolated from an industial compost for household refuse. Weight loss and oxygen consumption have been measured as a function of time. They respectively monitor the main chain hydrolysis into small soluble fragments and the mineralization of these fragments. The residual solid and the soluble fractions have been characterized by GPC, FTIR and NMR. Specific hydrolysis has been observed at the ester site. It has also been shown that the rate of mineralization of the polymer is limited by the rate of assimilation of the fragments. When pure enzymes are the biological agents, the hydrolysis step only occurs. The hydrolysis products identified in the presence of papain are the same as those released in the presence of the microorganisms used in this work. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.