title: Biosynthesis and biodegradability of copolythioesters from 3,3'-thiodipropionic acid and plant oils by Cupriviadus necator.
abstract: To prepare sulfur-containing natural polymers effectively, several plant oils and 3,3'-thiodipropionic acid (TDP) have been used as carbon sources for the biosynthesis of copolymer poly[(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-mercaptopropionate)] [poly(3HB-co-3MP)] by a wild-type bacterium Cupriviadus necator H16. By using the plant oils, copolymer accumulation and incorporation of 3MP units are greater than those of cases using sugars. The 3MP fraction is controllable over a range of 1-39 mol-% by adjusting the cultivation conditions. Microbial degradability of the copolymers has been examined in an activated sludge supernatant. The biodegradation proceeded by two mechanisms: surface erosion and auto-catalytic hydrolysis, depending on the 3MP unit fraction, and show preferential degradation of 3HB unit sequences.
authors: Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yamagata University, 4-3-16 Jonan, Yonezawa, Yamagata, Japan.
authors: Yasutaka
authors: Y
authors: Kamei
authors: Atsushi
authors: A
authors: Nagai
authors: Haruo
authors: H
authors: Nishida
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Kimura
authors: Takeshi
authors: T
authors: Endo
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011422:Propionates / Q000737:chemistry*; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000382:microbiology; D013457:Sulfur Compounds / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D011091:Polyesters; D011422:Propionates; D012722:Sewage; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; C013298:thiodipropionic acid