Effect of Cell-to-matrix Ratio in Polyvinyl Alcohol Immobilized Pure and Mixed Cultures on Atrazine Degradation

Atrazine biodegradation by immobilized pure and mixed cultures was examined. A pure atrazine-degrading culture, Agrobacterium radiobacter J14a (J14a), and a mixed culture (MC), isolated from an atrazine-contaminated crop field, were immobilized using phosphorylated-polyvinyl alcohol (PPVA). An existing cell immobilization procedure was modified to enhance PPVA matrix stability. The results showed that the matrices remained mechanically and chemically stable after shaking with glass beads over 15 days under various salt solutions and pH values. The immobilization process had a slight effect on cell viability. With the aid of scanning electron microscopy, a suitable microstructure of PPVA matrices for cell entrapment was observed. There were two porous layers of spherical gel matrices, the outside having an encapsulation property and the inside containing numerous pores for bacteria to occupy. J14a and MC were immobilized at three cell-to-matrix ratios of 3.5, 6.7, and 20 mg dry cells/mL matrix. The atrazine biodegradation tests were conducted in an aerobic batch system, which was inoculated with cells at 2,000 mg/L. The tests were also conducted using free (non-immobilized) J14a and MC for comparative purpose. The cell-to-matrix ratio of 3.5 mg/mL provided the highest atrazine removal efficiency of 40–50% in 120 h for both J14a and MC. The free cell systems, for both cultures, presented much lower atrazine removal efficiencies compared to the immobilized cell systems at the same level of inoculation.     

Polyhydroxybutyrate Accumulation in Bacillus megaterium and Optimization of Process Parameters Using Response Surface Methodology

The accumulation of polyhydroxybutyrate of Bacillus megaterium is growth associated and significantly dependent on carbon sources. In the present investigation B. megaterium strain isolated from soil was studied for PHB production in fructose minimal media. The PHB production was found to be growth associated. The polymer production by the strain was found to vary from 24 to 48 % content (w/w) of the dry cell weight. Box Bohn design was used to study the interactive effect of four variables on cell growth and PHB production. The optimized medium conditions with the constrain to maximize cell growth and PHB content were glucose 4.32 g/L, Mannitol 4.52 g/L and Na succinate 3.45 g/L and PHB yield 1.38 g/L amounting to 49 % of dry cell weight which is more than 1.8 folds the basal medium. The polymer production by the strain was found to vary from 12.18 to 57.2 % content (w/w) of the dry cell weight.     

Toxicity screening of biodegradable polymers. II. Evaluation of cell culture test with medium extract

Cell culture testing with material extracts was applied to toxicity screening of some commercial degradable plastics: a plasticized cellulose acetate, an aliphatic polyester (Bionolle), polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (Biopol), and polycaprolactone (TONE polymer). Cell culture medium with serum was used as extraction medium. Methods for the determination of morphology and viability of cells cultured in the extract were investigated. Phase-contrast light microscopy of cells, enhanced by neutral red staining, provides high-contrast images for qualitative evaluation of cell morphology and lysis. Compared to the determination of protein using the Bradford method and of neutral red uptake, the determination of dehydrogenase activity using 3-[4,5-dimethylthia-zol-2-yl]-2,5-diephenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) is more sensitive and accurate. The relative MTT activity of cells cultured in fresh extracts indicate that TONE polymer (all shapes) and Bionolle (test bars and films) are comparable to materials currently used in the food industry (polyethylene terephthalate, atactic and isotactic polystyrene) with no toxic effects on cells.     

Biocompatible Polyurethane Scaffolds Prepared from Glycerol Monostearate-Derived Polyester Polyol

Biodegradable polyester polyol was synthesized from oleochemical glycerol monostearate (GMS) and glutaric acid under a non-catalyzed and solvent-free polycondensation method. The chemical structure of GMS-derived polyester polyol (GPP) was elucidated by FTIR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, and molecular weight of GPP was characterized by GPC. The synthesized GPP with acid value of 3.03 mg KOH/g sample, hydroxyl value of 115.72 mg KOH/g sample and M_n of 1345 g/mol was incorporated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone diol (PCL diol) to produce a water-blown porous polyurethane system via one-shot foaming method. The polyurethanes were optimized by evaluating glycerol as a crosslinker, silicone surfactant and water blowing agent on tensile properties of polyurethanes. All polyurethanes underwent structural change, and crystalline hard segments of polyurethanes were shifted to higher temperature suggested that hard segments undergone re-ordering process during enzymatic treatment. In terms of biocompatibility, polyurethane scaffold produced by reacting 100% w/w of GPP with isophorone diisocyanate and additives showed the highest cells viability of 3T3 mouse fibroblast (94%, day 1), and MG63 human osteosarcoma (107%, day 1) and better cell adhesion as compared to reference polyurethane produced by only PEG and PCL diol (3T3 cell viability: 8%; MG63 cell viability: 2%). The current work demonstrated GPP synthesized from renewable and environmental friendly resources produced polyurethanes that allows improvement in physico-chemical, mechanical and biocompatibility properties. By blending with increasing content of GPP, the water-blown porous polyurethane scaffold has shown great potential as biomaterial for soft and hard tissue engineering.     

Characterization of Aerobic Bacteria Involved in Degrading Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)-3400 Obtained by Plating and Enrichment Culture Techniques

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3400-degrading aerobic bacteria were isolated from tap water and wetland sediments and then characterized. Only one Sphingomonas strain was obtained in enrichment cultures from each inoculum source whereas a total of 15 bacterial strains were isolated on agar plates. Nine of the 15 isolates were confirmed as PEG 3400 degraders. Three of the 9 PEG 3400 degraders were Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the genus Pseudomonas and genus Sphingomonas. The remaining six isolates were Gram-positive bacteria belonging to genera Rhodococcus, Williamsia, Mycobacterium and Bacillus. PEG 3400 was quantified at 194 nm spectrophotometrically and, at the same time, the growth of two Gram-negative (isolates P1 and P7) and five Gram-positive (isolates P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6) PEG 3400-degrading bacteria were assayed in liquid media and on agar plates amended with PEG 3400, and also on Nutrient Agar plates and pure agar plates without PEG 3400 addition. No growth was observed on the pure agar plates for all the tested strains for a period of 31 days. All tested PEG 3400 degraders showed much lower viability in liquid culture than on the corresponding agar plates in the presence of PEG 3400. Two Gram-negative isolates P1 and P7 did not show significant growth advantage over the Gram-positive isolates both on the agar plates and in the liquid medium amended with PEG 3400. Our results suggest that diversity of PEG degrading bacteria is high in the environments and culturing techniques affect the successful isolation of the bacteria responsible for degradation.     

Toxicity screening of biodegradable polymers. I. Selection and evaluation of cell culture test methods

A screening test method for potential toxicity of biodegradable plastics on humans and the environment was selected and evaluated with samples of cellulose acetate, Bionolle, polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (Biopol), and polycaprolactone (Tone polymer). Among the standardin vitro tests using animal cell cultures for the evaluation of biomedical materials, the test by direct contact and the test with extract were examined. Qualitative and quantitative determinations of the cell viability and morphology indicate that the test with extracts can be easily performed, providing reproducible and comparable results for all materials. Using the cell culture test with the extract of sterile samples, an estimation of the toxicity of a new polymeric material can be obtained within a few weeks.     

Structure and Morphology of Microbial Degraded Poly(ε-caprolactone)/Graphite Oxide Composite

Biodegradation of poly(ε-caprolactone) composite with graphite oxide (GO) by the action of Bacillus subtilis (BS) was studied in this work. Nanocomposite produced in a form of thin film was exposed to nutrient cultivation medium with BS as well as to abiotic nutrient medium (control run) at 30 °C. The matrix itself was exposed to the same conditions for comparison. Biodegradation was demonstrated by the weight loss and the decrease of molecular weight during 21 days of the experiment as well as by changes in the surface morphology and structure. Both degraded and control materials were characterized by confocal laser scanning microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance. The bacterial growth expressed as the measure of the optical density/turbidity in McFarland units and pH of medium were measured in situ during the experiment. Lipolytic activity of BS was determined by spectrophotometric assay. Degradation process was accompanied by the increase of matrix crystallinity degree. GO served as nucleating agent and facilitated absorption of cultivation media into the composite which led to the increase of the crystallinity degree also for control nanocomposite specimens. It was not evaluated to be promoter of biodegradation. The surface cracks formation was initiated by BS action. Large surface cracks were formed on BS-degraded composite surfaces while surface erosion was more significant on BS-degraded matrix.     

Aliphatic Polyester-Based Green Renewable Eco-composites from Agricultural Residues: Characterization and Assessment of Mechanical Properties

The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical properties of composite materials consisting of maleic anhydride-grafted poly(butylene succinate adipate) (PBSA-g-MA) and agricultural residues (wheat bran, WB) were evaluated. Composites containing maleic anhydride-grafted PBSA (PBSA-g-MA/WB) exhibited noticeably superior mechanical properties compared with those of PBSA/WB because of greater compatibility with WB. PBSA/WB exhibited a tensile strength at break of approximately 2–15 MPa more than PBSA-g-MA/WB. The dispersion of WB in the PBSA-g-MA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation and the subsequent creation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules between the anhydride carboxyl groups of PBSA-g-MA and hydroxyl groups in WB. Additionally, the PBSA-g-MA/WB composites were more easily processed due to their lower melt viscosity. Water resistance of PBSA-g-MA/WB was higher than that of PBSA/WB, although weight loss of composites buried in Azospirillum brasilense BCRC 12270 liquid culture medium compost indicated that both were biodegradable, especially at high levels of WB substitution. After 60 days, the weight loss of the PBSA-g-MA/WB (40 wt%) composite was greater than 90 %. PBSA/WB exhibited a weight loss of approximately 4–8 wt% more than PBSA-g-MA/WB. The PBSA/WB and PBSA-g-MA/WB composites were more biodegradable than pure PBSA, which implies a strong connection between WB content and biodegradability.     

Enhanced bioleaching efficiency of copper from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) by dissolved oxygen-shifted strategy in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans</Emphasis>

Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, as chemolithotrophic aerobic bacterium, can obtain energy by oxidation of ferrous ions (Fe²⁺) to ferric ions (Fe³⁺) and use molecular oxygen (O₂) as terminal electron acceptor. In this study, the effects of dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in culture medium on cell growth and copper extraction from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) were investigated in A. ferrooxidans. The whole culture period was divided into two stages of cell growth and copper extraction. At the former stage, relatively lower DO level was adopted to satisfy bacterial growth while avoiding excessive Fe²⁺ oxidation. At the later stage, higher DO was used to promote copper extraction. Moreover, shift time of DO from lower to higher level was determined via simulating Gauss function. By controlling DO at 10 % for initial 64 h and switching to 20 % afterwards and with 18 g/l PCBs addition at 64 h, final copper recovery reached 94.1 %, increased by 37.6 and 48.3 % compared to constant DO of 10 and 20 % operations. More importantly, copper leaching periods were shortened from 108 to 60 h. It was suggested that application of DO-shifted strategy to enhancing copper extraction from PCBs with reduced leaching periods is being feasible.     

Evaluation of Cyto- and Genotoxicity of Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) Nanoparticles

This work reports on an analysis of the cyto- and genotoxicity of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) polymer nanoparticles, in an attempt to evaluate their mutagenic effects. Fibroblast (3T3) and human lymphocyte cell cultures were exposed to solutions containing three different concentrations of nanoparticles (5.4, 54 and 540 μg/mL, polymer mass/volume of solution). The nanoparticles were characterized in terms of their hydrodynamic diameters, zeta potentials and polydispersity indices. The morphology of the particles was determined by atomic force microscopy. The PLGA nanospheres presented a size of 95 nm, a zeta potential of −20 mV and a spherical morphology. Cellular viability assays using fibroblast cells showed no significant alterations compared with the negative control. A cytogenetic analysis of human lymphocyte cells showed no significant changes in the mitotic index in relation to the control, indicating that in the concentration range tested, the particles used in the experimental models did not present cyto- or genotoxicity. For the tests conducted in this work we can conclude that biodegradable and biocompatible PLGA nanospheres are not toxic in the cell cultures tested (fibroblast and lymphocyte cells) and in the range of concentrations employed. The results provide new information concerning the toxic effects of particles produced using PLGA.     

Algae Biomass Based Media for Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) Production by Escherichia coli

In addition to biodiesel production from algae, the production of other valuable bioproducts facilitates the development of an algae-based biorefinery platform. The goal of this study was to utilize the aqueous fraction from a novel algal wet lipid extraction procedure as the medium for the production of a bio product, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), via the growth of recombinant Escherichia coli. PHB yield was measured at 34 % of the E. coli dry cell mass, and was increased to 51 % when the algae aqueous medium was supplemented with glucose. While the addition of inorganic nutrients to the aqueous phase did not increase PHB production or growth of E. coli, growth of E. coli was observed to increase with the supplementation of carbon substrate (glucose). The addition of carbon rich waste to the aqueous fraction of wastewater-derived algae may in the future provide a sustainable alternative. Future research will be directed at evaluating this concept to develop a sustainable process for the production of bioplastics through an algae-based biorefinery platform.     

Investigation of Biosurfactant Activity and Asphaltene Biodegradation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus cereus</Emphasis>

In this research, a biosurfactant-producing bacterium with capability of asphaltene degradation was isolated from oil-contaminated soil samples, and identified as Bacillus cereus. This strain produced an effective biosurfactant in the presence of molasses and the surface tension was reduced to the level of 36.4 mN/m after 48 h under optimum conditions. The optimum values of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N), pH, and temperature for biosurfactant production were determined as 30:1, 7.3 and 29 °C, respectively, using response surface methodology. The maximum emulsification activity in the culture broth was 53 % after 48 h using kerosene at 25 °C. The goodness of fit of four growth kinetic models including Tessier, Contois, Logistic and Westerhoff was compared for the bacterial growth and molasses utilization of B. cereus in 5-L batch bioreactor during 120 h. Conducted kinetic study showed that biosurfactant production had a good fit with the Contois growth kinetic model (R² = 0.962) and the maximum specific growth rate (µ _max ), saturation constant (K _s ) and the yield of biomass per substrate (Y _x/s ) were determined to be 0.145 h^?1, 1.83 g/L and 0.428 g/g, respectively. The asphaltene biodegradation in flask was evaluated by FTIR analysis and quantified by a spectrophotometer. This bacterium was able to degrade up to 40 % of asphaltene as a sole carbon and energy source after 60 days at 28 °C. The resulting surface tension of 30.2 mN/m with the critical micelle concentration of 23.4 mg/L indicated good efficiency of the biosurfactant.     

Devulcanization of Ground Tires by Different Strains of Bacteria: Optimization of Culture Condition by Taguchi Method

Biological devulcanization of ground tires (GTs) was evaluated by eleven different bacteria belonging to the genera Thiobacillus, Gordonia, Nocardia, Amycolaptopsis and Pseudomonas. The GTs were treated by each bacterium in a mineral medium and devulcanization was measured by increasing the sulfate of the medium and decreasing the sulfur of the GTs. The effects of incubation time (10 and 20 days) and the percent of ground tire in the medium (0.5 and 5 w/v %) on desulfurization were investigated. No significant changes were observed after 10 days of incubation. The total sulfur contents of all bio-treated GTs were decreased by 6–21% in 0.5% GTs after 20 days of incubation. While in 5% GTs, the total sulfur contents were mainly decreased using Thiobacillus ferroxidans DSMZ 583 and PTCC 1647 up to 27 and 15%, respectively. SEM photograph further indicated a good coherency interface between the bacteria and the GTs. Subsequently, Taguchi method was applied for the optimization of the culture condition of DSMZ 583. An L12 orthogonal array was performed by which the effects of eleven factors in two levels were evaluated. It was found that the amount and mesh size of GTs are the most important factors in biological devulcanization of ground tires.     

Physicochemical and biochemical changes during composting of different mixing ratios of biogas sludge with palm oil mill wastes and biogas effluent

Prior to composting, the composition of palm oil mill wastes were analyzed. Palm empty fruit bunches (PEFB) contained the highest total organic carbon (52.83 % dry weight) while palm oil mill biogas sludge (POMS) and decanter cake (DC) contained higher total nitrogen (3.6 and 2.37 % dry weight, respectively) than the others. In addition, palm oil fuel ash (POFA) had a high amount of phosphorus and potassium (2.17 and 1.93 % dry weight, respectively). The effect of mixture ratio of POMS and other palm oil mill wastes for composting was studied using the mixed culture Super LDD1 as an inoculum. All compost piles turned dark brown and attained an ambient temperature after 40 days incubation. The pH values were stable in the range of 6.9–7.8 throughout the process whereas the moisture content tended to decrease till the end with the final value around 30 %. After 60 days incubation, the mixture ratio of POMS:PEFB:DC at 2:1:1 with the addition of biogas effluent gave the highest quality of the compost. Its nitrogen content was 31.75 % higher than the other treatments that may be a result of growth of ink cap mushroom (Coprinus sp.). This is the first report on the occurrence of this mushroom during composting. In addition, its nutrients (3.26 % N, 0.84 % P and 2.03 % K) were higher than the level of the Organic Fertilizer Standard. The mixed culture Super LDD1 produced the highest activity of CMCase (6.18 Unit/g) and xylanase (11.68 Unit/g) at 9 days fermentation. Therefore, this solid-state fermentation could be employed for production of compost as well as enzymes.     

Stability of Aqueous Suspensions of Medium-Chain-Length Poly-3-Hydroxyalkanoate Particles

Although poly-3-hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and particularily medium-chain-length (mcl)-PHAs are likely to find industrial applications in a latex form, very few studies have examined their behavior in aqueous suspension and none have examined the dense suspensions required commercially. For this reason, the stability of mcl-PHA latexes containing saturated aliphatic (65 mol% 3-hydroxynonanoate, PHN), and for the first time, with vinyl (PHNU) or carboxylated side chains was examined. At 4 g L^?1 with no stabilizing agent, PHNU nanoparticles (199.4 ± 3.6 nm) were significantly smaller than those of PHN (211.5 ± 6.4 nm) while carboxylated PHN nanoparticles (76.1 ± 6.4 nm) were substantially smaller than those of either PHN or PHNU with particles stable for more than 110 days. Increasing the PHN concentration to 10 g L^?1 also resulted in stable latexes but with larger particles (410.8 ± 5.2 nm). Adjusting the pH of the suspending medium (water) before addition of the polymer (dissolved in acetone) resulted in much smaller PHN particles at pH = 11.3 (134 ± 2 nm) than at pH = 4.3 (312 ± 8 nm) at a 4 g L^?1 final polymer concentration. Zeta potentials of PHN suspensions decreased with pH, likely due to the carboxyl end groups. Above a pH of 4.0, adjusting the pH after particle formation had little effect. NaCl addition could be used to agglomerate and ultimately precipitate the particles. Stabilizers such as surfactants will likely be required to produce denser mcl-PHA latexes with suitable particle size for certain applications such as coatings and toner production.     

Effect of complex nitrogen source on the synthesis and accumulation of poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) by recombinantEscherichia coli in flask and fed-batch cultures

When a recombinantEscherichia coli XL1-Blue harboring pSYL105 was cultured in a complex medium, a poly(3-hydroxybutyric acid) (PHB) concentration of 7.16 g/L was obtained in 48 h. However, a PHB concentration of only 0.91 g/L was obtained in 60 h by culturing in a defined medium. Also, fed-batch culture in a defined medium resulted in considerably lower PHB accumulation than in a complex medium. With the aim to produce a high concentration of PHB at a reduced medium cost, we examined 10 complex nitrogen sources for their ability to promote PHB synthesis in a defined medium. Tryptone, casamino acids, and casein hydrolysate promoted PHB synthesis to a higher extent than the others tested. PHB synthesis was also enhanced during fedbatch cultures when a defined medium was supplemented with various complex nitrogen sources. With tryptone supplementation a PHB concentration of 66.7 g/L could be obtained in 44 h. Yeast extract was less effective for promoting PHB synthesis than tryptone. Corn steep liquor, which did not enhance PHB synthesis significantly, could promote PHB synthesis considerably when supplemented together with yeast extract in both flask and fed-batch cultures.     

A Composting Study of Membrane-Like Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Resins and Nanocomposites

This study presents the effect of biodegradation, in a composting medium, on properties of membrane-like crosslinked and noncrosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and nanocomposites. The composting was carried out for 120 days and the biodegradation of these materials was characterized using various techniques. The changes in the PVA resin and nanocomposite surface topography and microstructure during composting were also characterized. The results from the analyses suggest biodegradation of PVA based materials in compost medium was mainly by enzymes secreted by fungi. The results also indicate that the enzymes degraded the amorphous regions of the specimens first and that the PVA crystallinity played an important role in its biodegradation. The surface roughness of the specimens was seen to increase with composting time as the microbial colonies grew which in turn facilitated further microorganism growth. All specimens broke into small pieces between 90 and 120 days of composting as a result of deep biodegradation. Glyoxal and malonic acid crosslinking decreased the PVA biodegradation rate slightly. Addition of highly crystalline microfibrillated cellulose and naturally occurring halloysite nanotubes in PVA based nanocomposites also decreased the biodegradation rate. The three factors: PVA crystallinity, crosslinking and additives, may be utilized effectively to extend the life of these materials in real life applications.     

Preparation and Characterization of Polyhydroxyalkanoate Bioplastic-Based Green Renewable Composites from Rice Husk

The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical properties of composite materials consisting of acrylic acid-grafted poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA-g-AA) and rice husk (RH) were evaluated. Composites containing PHA-g-AA (PHA-g-AA/RH) exhibited noticeably superior mechanical properties compared with those of PHA/RH because of greater compatibility with RH. The dispersion of RH in the PHA-g-AA matrix was homogeneous because of ester formation and the consequent creation of branched and crosslinked macromolecules, between the carboxyl groups of PHA-g-AA and hydroxyl groups in RH. The water resistance of PHA-g-AA/RH was higher than that of PHA/RH, although the weight loss of composites buried in soil compost indicated that both were biodegradable, especially at high levels of RH substitution. After 60 days, the weight loss of the PHA-g-AA/RH (40 wt%) composite was greater than 90 %. PHA/RH exhibited a weight loss of approximately 4–8 wt% more than PHA-g-AA/RH. The PHA/RH and PHA-g-AA/RH composites were more biodegradable than pure PHA, which implies a strong connection between RH content and biodegradability.     

Microbial Desulfurization of Ground Tire Rubber by Sphingomonas sp.: A Novel Technology for Crumb Rubber Composites

This study focused on the microbial desulfurization of ground tire rubber (GTR) by Sphingomonas sp. that was selected from coal mine soil and had sulphur oxidizing capacity. GTR was immersed in the medium co-cultured with the Sphingomonas sp. for 20?days. The growth curve of Sphingomonas sp. during co-cultured desulfurization with GTR was measured and the surface chemical groups of GTR before and after desulfurization were analyzed. The crosslink density, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphology of fracture surface of SBR composites filled with GTR or DGTR were studied to evaluate the microbial desulfurization effect. The results showed that GTR had low toxicity to Sphingomonas sp., so Sphingomonas sp. was able to maintain a high biomass. After desulfurization, not only a rupture of conjugated C=C bonds, but also a reduction of sulfur content had happened to GTR. The sol fraction of GTR increased from its original 4.69?C8.68% after desulfurization. Desulfurated ground tire rubber (DGTR) sheets had better physical properties, and higher swelling values than GTR sheets. The DMA results showed that SBR/DGTR composite had a reduction of molecular chain friction resistance during glass transition region and a decrease of glass transition temperature. SEM photograph further indicated a good coherency interface between DGTR and the rubber matrix.     

Development of a Safe Solid-State Microorganism/Biodegradable Polymer Composite for Decomposition of Formaldehyde

A very safe and environmentally friendly solid-state material for bioremediation was prepared using a combination of Aspergillus oryzae and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), a porous biodegradable polymer. The novel material was capable of decomposing 200 ppm formaldehyde solutions to 0 ppm within 7 days. Degradation ability was prolonged by addition of yeast extract-peptone-dextrose medium into the composite; 200 ppm formaldehyde was decomposed to 0 ppm over eight additional decomposition cycles and 100 days. A unique mechanism is proposed where, during PCL degradation, the solid-state composite provides nutrients to A. oryzae.