The biodegradation of polyester and polyester polyurethane coatings using Papiliotrema laurentii. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hung, Chia-Suei; Barlow, Daniel E.; Varaljay, Vanessa A.; Drake, Carrie A.; Crouch, Audra L.; Russell, John N.; Nadeau, Lloyd J.; Crookes-Goodson, Wendy J.; Biffinger, Justin C.
• Is Part Of: International biodeterioration & biodegradation. Volume 139(2019)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 43
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Biodegradation -- Polyurethane -- Polyester -- Yeast -- Biofilm; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Biodegradation -- Periodicals; Biodégradation -- Périodiques; Biorestauration -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11223
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibiod.2019.02.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0964-8305

Abstract

Abstract: The rate and severity of polyurethane (PU) coating degradation is due to a combination of both abiotic and biotic factors. The contribution of biotic factors to the degradation process has not been fully realized, in part, because it is assumed that microorganisms cannot survive exclusively on polyurethane-based coatings. We isolated a strain of Papiliotrema laurentii that, as a biofilm, is capable of degrading a polyester-based polyurethane coating. The biodegradation potential of this strain was screened initially with Impranil ® -DLN and then against biodegradable polyesters (polyethylene succinate and polyethylene adipate) and a thermoset polyester polyether polyurethane, Irogran ®, with no additional carbon sources over 8 days at a relative humidity of >95%. We confirmed that P. laurentii preferentially hydrolyzed both polyesters coatings and the polyester segment of Irogran ® coatings using optical and infrared microscopy techniques. The chemical and metabolic differences observed during the degradation of PES coatings compared to PEA and Irogran ® coatings indicate that growth was not required for these coatings to be degraded. This strain of P. laurentii can both hydrolyze and metabolize polyester-based coatings under high humidity over 8 days. These microscopic and analytical data revealed how biodegradation was potentially linked to survival using this fungus isolated from the environment. Highlights: A strain of Papiliotrema laurentii was isolated from the inside of an aircraft. P. laurentii hydrolyzed and metabolized polyester coatings and a polyester polyurethane coating. The biodegradation of succinate-based coatings resulted in the highest production of CO2. Growth of P. laurentii is not directly associated with the degradation of the underlying polymer. P. laurentii preferentially hydrolyzed the polyester block and not the polyurethane block of Irogran ® .