Microbial degradation of polyurethane, polyester polyurethanes and polyether polyurethanes

Nakajima-Kambe, T.; Shigeno-Akutsu, Y.; Nomura, N.; Onuma, F.; Nakahara, T.

doi:10.1007/s002530051373

Cited by 284biodegradable polymer synthesis and propertiesMicrobial bioremediation and biosurfactantsEnzyme Production and Characterization

Microbial degradation of polyurethane, polyester polyurethanes and polyether polyurethanes

Nakajima-Kambe, T., Shigeno-Akutsu, Y., Nomura, N., Onuma, F., Nakahara, T.·1999·Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

DOI 10.1007/s002530051373

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Abstract

Polyurethane (PUR) is a polymer derived from the condensation of polyisocyanate and polyol and it is widely used as a base material in various industries. PUR, in particular, polyester PUR, is known to be vulnerable to microbial attack. Recently, environmental pollution by plastic wastes has become a serious issue and polyester PUR had attracted attention because of its biodegradability. There are many reports on the degradation of polyester PUR by microorganisms, especially by fungi. Microbial degradation of polyester PUR is thought to be mainly due to the hydrolysis of ester bonds by esterases. Recently, polyester-PUR-degrading enzymes have been purified and their characteristics reported. Among them, a solid-polyester-PUR-degrading enzyme (PUR esterase) derived from Comamonas acidovorans TB-35 had unique characteristics. This enzyme has a hydrophobic PUR-surface-binding domain and a catalytic domain, and the surface-binding domain was considered as being essential for PUR degradation. This hydrophobic surface-binding domain is also observed in other solid-polyester-degrading enzymes such as poly(hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) depolymerases. There was no significant homology between the amino acid sequence of PUR esterase and that of PHA depolymerases, except in the hydrophobic surface-binding region. Thus, PUR esterase and PHA depolymerase are probably different in terms of their evolutionary origin and it is possible that PUR esterases come to be classified as a new solid-polyester-degrading enzyme family.

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Polyurethane-degrading enzymes have been reviewed two decades ago, and PA-degrading microbes have been described decades ago, though the functioning/enzymes of PA degradation are still unconstrained.
“Polyurethane-degrading enzymes have already been reviewed two decades ago, 122 and PA degrading microbes have been described decades ago, too (though the functioning/enzymes of PA-degradation are still unconstrained).123,124”
From The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview (2021) · cites this paper as [122]

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Authors: Nakajima-Kambe, T., Shigeno-Akutsu, Y., Nomura, N., Onuma, F., & Nakahara, T.
Affiliations: University of Tsukuba (JP)
ORCID: Nomura, N.
Venue: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 1999-02-25
Volume: 51
Issue: 2
Pages: 134-140
ISSN: 0175-7598 (ISSN-L)
1432-0614
DOI: 10.1007/s002530051373
OpenAlex: W2071102287
Cited by: 284
References: 32
Citations by year: 2026: 13 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 17 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 16
FWCI: 2.22
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microbial bioremediation and biosurfactants
Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biotechnology › Enzyme Production and Characterization
Keywords: polyurethane degradation, polyester polyurethane, polyether polyurethane, Comamonas acidovorans, esterase, plastic waste biodegradation, fungal degradation, enzyme evolution, biodegradable plastics
MeSH terms: Bacteria, Biodegradation, Environmental, Fungi, Polyesters, Polyurethanes

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Microbial degradation of polyurethane, polyester polyurethanes and polyether polyurethanes

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