title: Isolation of a microorganism capable of degrading poly-(L-lactide).
abstract: The isolation of poly-(L-lactide) (PLA)-degrading microorganisms was investigated. A PLA-degrading actinomycete, strain No. 3118, was isolated and tentatively identified as a member of the genus Amycolatopsis. The optimum conditions for degradation of PLA were 43 degrees C at about pH 7 in a mineral salt medium with a low concentration of organic nutrients (0.002% yeast extract). The original shape of PLA film (Mw=2.3x10(5) after sterilization, 20 &mgr;m thick) disappeared within 2 weeks. Lactic acid was detected after the film was incubated with culture supernatant.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical and Chemical Research ( RIKEN ), Wako 351-0198, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ikura
authors.forename: Toshiaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kudo