Bioscience Biotechnology and Biochemistry · 1994 · 32 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesBiotechnologyChemical EngineeringPolymer ChemistryPolymer EngineeringPolymer MaterialsAcrylic Resin MaterialsBiodegradable PolymersBiodegradationDegradation ProductsPolymer CharacterizationPolymer DegradationBiodegradabilityBiodegradation KineticsHydrolytic Degradation StudiesMicrobial Degradation PathwaysPolymer BiodegradationPolymer Degradation AnalysisPolymer Degradation KineticsPolymer Degradation Mechanisms
Poly(sodium acrylate)-utilizing microorganisms, L7-A and L7-B, were first isolated from soil. When L7-A and L7-B were used in a mixture and cultured with a 0.2% poly(sodium acrylate) nutrient source, polymers having average Mw of 1000, 1500, and 4000 were degraded to extents of 73%, 49%, and 20%, respectively, in 2 weeks. The biodegradability of poly(sodium acrylate) of high molecular weight after uv irradiation was also examined.