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Degradation of a Terephthalate-containing Polyester by a Thermophilic Microbial Consortium

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Abstract

Biomax® is an aliphatic-aromatic polyester. The biodegradability of Biomax® was studied at 58 °C using a laboratory scale bioreactor. The bioreactor was inoculated with bacteria derived from compost and supplemented with powdered Biomax® and an additional energy source. After a period of acclimation, the microorganisms in the bioreactor were capable of metabolizing the major components of the polymer, i.e., TPA and ethylene glycol. TPA and ethylene glycol were detected in the bioreactor only when they were added. Degradation and disintegration of the powdered Biomax® was monitored by laser diffraction. The particle size distribution of the powdered polymer progressively shifted toward smaller sizes until the diameters of the polymer particles were indistinguishable from bacteria. The types of microbes in the bioreactor were determined by analyzing 16S rRNA gene sequences. The bacteria belonged to 35 different groups, and the majority of the bacteria appeared to represent new species.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Richard Hayes, Patrick Ireland and Bjorn Tyreus for helpful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biochemical Sciences and Engineering, DuPont Central Research and Development, P. O. Box 80328, Wilmington, Delaware, 19880-0328, USA

    Vasantha Nagarajan, Manjari Singh, Helene Kane, Mohsen Khalili & Michael Bramucci

Authors
  1. Vasantha Nagarajan
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  2. Manjari Singh
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  3. Helene Kane
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  4. Mohsen Khalili
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  5. Michael Bramucci
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Bramucci.

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Nagarajan, V., Singh, M., Kane, H. et al. Degradation of a Terephthalate-containing Polyester by a Thermophilic Microbial Consortium. J Polym Environ 14, 281–287 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0019-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0019-2

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