EFFECT OF POLYMER POSITION IN NUTRIENT-SALT AGAR MEDIUM ON FUNGAL DEGRADATION OF POLYCAPROLACTONE

Abstract

In order to investigate the effect of contact type between microorganism and polymer on the degradation of polycaprolactone (PCL), fungal degradation test was performed by placing PCL films on the top, middle, and bottom of the nutrient-salt agar medium. After 3 weeks incubation, the pH values of agar containing PCL films on the top, middle, and bottom were 5.82, 3.78, and 4.06, respectively. The weight losses of the PCL films were 5.10%, 13.89%, and 6.92%, respectively. However, the molecular weight change by degradation was not observed. It is supposed that the degradation of PCL films on the top position was caused by biophysical, biochemical and direct enzyme action, but that of PCL films on the middle or bottom position was caused by biochemical and direct enzyme action