BIODEGRADATION OF POLYCAPROLACTONE BY MICROORGANISMS FROM AN INDUSTRIAL COMPOST OF HOUSEHOLD REFUSE .2.

The rate of biodegradation of polycaprolactone samples, hydroxy (M(n) = 4000 and 37000) and methoxy (M(n) = 4000) terminated, by mixed cultures of microorganisms from a suspension of compost, and by a pure culture of an actinomycete isolated from it, has been monitored by the measurement of oxygen consumption. The dependence on polymer molecular weight suggests that initiation of degradation occurs in the vicinity of chain ends. Further analysis of the residues allows primary considerations about the bacterial metabolism of the substrate.