NOVEL MICROORGANISM AND COMPOSITION FOR BIODEGRADING POLYESTER POLYMER

摘要

PURPOSE:To obtain a composition which contains a novel microorganism belonging to the genus Cellulomonas and is useful for biodegrading polyester polymers such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) or the like. CONSTITUTION:The composition contains Cellulomonas sp. FD-001 (FERM BP-4612) which belongs to the genus Cellulomonas and is capable of reducing nitrate, hydrolyzing cellulose and decomposing 3-hydroxy-alkanoate homo- or copolymers metabolically. It can also decompose copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and that of 3-hydroxy-valerate. The amount of the microorganism required is more than 1wt.%, preferably about 10wt.% (wet base) based on the weight of the substrate plastic for smooth decomposition.