Microorganisms isolated from soil samples were screened for their ability to degrade various biodegradable polyester-based plastics. The most active strain, designated as strain TB-13, was selected as the best strain for degrading these plastics. From its phenotypic and genetic characteristics, strain TB-13 was closely related to Paenibacillus amyloyticus. It could degrade poly(lactic acid), poly(butylene succinate), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate), poly(caprolactone) and poly(ethylene succinate) but not poly(hydroxybutylate-co-valerate). However, it could not utilize these plastics as sole carbon sources. Both protease and esterase activities, which may be involved in the degradation of plastic, were constitutively detected in the culture broth.
        
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Teeraphatpornchai T, Nakajima-kambe T, Shigeno-Akutsu Y, Nakayama M, Nomura N, Nakahara T, Uchiyama H (2003) Isolation and characterization of a bacterium that degrades various polyester-based biodegradable plastics Biotechnol Lett25: 23-8
Teeraphatpornchai T, Nakajima-kambe T, Shigeno-Akutsu Y, Nakayama M, Nomura N, Nakahara T, Uchiyama H (2003) Biotechnol Lett25: 23-8