Degradability of poly(ether-urethanes) and poly(ether-urethane)/acrylic hybrids by soil bacterial consortia

Nowadays, the accumulation of plastic waste in landfills is a serious problem of environmental pollution. This project focuses on the study and improvement of the biodegradation of polyurethanes (PU). The purpose of the current study was to assess the biodegradability of two poly(ether-urethanes): PUIPDI and PUHMDI, synthesised with different aliphatic diisocyanates: isophorone diisocyanate and 4,4-methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate), respectively; and two PU/acrylic hybrids (PUH:DEA) of PUHMDI and 2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate (DEA), by soil microbial consortia. A soil enrichment culture approach was employed to select bacterial consortia in the surface of the polymers, which were used as the sole carbon and energy source. Taxonomic and functional compositions of consortia were described. The biodegradation of the polymers was assessed as well. A strong connection was evidenced between the initial biochemical degradative reactions identified in each polymer type and the bacterial consortium developed on its surface.