Microbial Degradation of Poly-B-esters: a Mechanistic Study, Cellulose Acetate Biodegradability

Abstract

In this Final Report, work carried out under ARO grant C-DAAL03-G- 0111 is described. The investigations performed include the following: (1) isolation, purification and characterization of a poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) depolymerase enzyme from Penicillium funiculosum, (2) determination that the depolymerase is a serine esterase, (3) study of the effect of polymer stereochemistry and crystalline order in a semi-crystalline polymer film substrate on enzyme specificity and activity, (3) isolation, purification and characterization of cellulose acetate degrading microorganisms and (4) determination of the biodegradability of cellulose acetate with degrees of substitution up to 2.5 under aerobic thermophilic conditions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 30, 1993
Accession Number
ADA271368

Entities

People

  • Richard A. Gross

Organizations

  • University of Massachusetts Lowell

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acetates
  • Cellulose
  • Cellulose Acetates
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Degradation
  • Environment
  • Films
  • Fungi
  • Materials
  • Microorganisms
  • Molecular Weight
  • Plastics
  • Polymer Degradation
  • Polymeric Films
  • Polymers
  • Stereochemistry

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology