Enzymatic degradation of poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) with subsequent degradations of the decomposed monomers by filamentous fungi

The enzymatic degradation of poly (butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) was carried out by Lipase A derived from Aspergillus niger. The Lipase was a crude enzyme mitture including several proteins. It was fond that four types of proteins with molecular weights of 33, 35, 40, and 50 KDa adsorbed on PBSA surface and degraded the polymer by their combined effects. The enzyme degraded PBSA and liberated monomer components, i.e. succinic acid, adipic acid, and 1,4-butandiol. The succinic acid and adipic acid were completely decomposed within a month by A. niger, A. oryzae and P. citrinum. The fungi assimilated 1,4-butandiol after the assimilation of succinic acid and adipic acid.