title: Biodegradation of polyester polyurethane during commercial composting and analysis of associated fungal communities.
abstract: In this study the biodegradation of polyurethane (PU) during the maturation stage of a commercial composting process was investigated. PU coupons were buried in the centre and at the surface of a 10 m high compost pile. Fungal communities colonising polyester PU coupons were compared with the native compost communities using culture based and molecular techniques. Putative polyester PU degrading fungi were ubiquitous in compost and rapidly colonised the surface of polyester PU coupons with significant deterioration. As the temperature decreased, fungal diversity in the compost and on the surface of the polyester PU coupons increased and selection of fungal community on the polyester PU coupons occurs that is different from the surrounding compost.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Urooj
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zafar
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M60 1QD, UK.
authors.forename: Petrus
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nzerem
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Adrian
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Langarica-Fuentes
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Houlden
authors.affiliation: The TEG Group PLC, Westmarch House, 42 Eaton Avenue, Chorley PR7 7NA, UK.
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heyworth
authors.affiliation: School of Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saiani
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. Electronic address: Geoff.robson@manchester.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Geoff D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Robson
mesh_terms: D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism*; D011140:Polyurethanes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012987:Soil
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D012987:Soil
keywords: Biodegradation; Compost; Plastics; Polyurethane; Thermophilic fungi