Microbial degradation of polyty-dioxanone) I. Isolation of degrading microorganisms and microbial decomposition in pure culture

摘要

Microbial degradability of poly(P-dioxanone) (PPDO), which is known as a poly(ether-ester) for bioabsorbable sutures, in natural environments was first revealed. Many kinds of PPDO-degrading microorganisrns were found to be distributed widely in natural environments. Twelve PPDO-degrading strains were isolated. From phylogenetic analysis based on l6S rRNA gene sequences, the isolated PPDO-degrading strains were found to belong to the 7 and β subdivision of the class Proleobacleria and the class Actinobactrla. To clarify the microbial degradability of PPDO, the dcgradation was investigated in pure cultures. The degradation by strain 3-l-a resulted in the rapid decomposition and dissolution of high molecu1ar weight PPDO, and the accumulation of acids as degradation products in culture medium. From HPLC and NMR analyses, the products were confirmed to be dominated by monomeric acid. It was determined that the degrading strains merely hydrolyzed PPDO to soluble oligomeric acids, and did not substantially utilize them.