EFFECT OF POLYMER POSITION IN NUTRIENT-SALT AGAR MEDIUM ON FUNGAL DEGRADATION OF POLYCAPROLACTONE

In order to investigate the effect of contact type between microorgani sm and polymer on the degradation of polycaprolactone (PCL), fungal de gradation test was performed by placing PCL films on the top, middle, and bottom of the nutrient-salt agar medium. After 3 weeks incubation, the pH values of agar containing PCL films on the top, middle, and bo ttom were 5.82, 3.78, and 4.06, respectively. The weight losses of the PCL films were 5.10%, 13.89%, and 6.92%, respectively. However, the m olecular weight change by degradation was not observed. It is supposed that the degradation of PCL films on the top position was caused by b iophysical, biochemical and direct enzyme action, but that of PCL film s on the middle or bottom position was caused by biochemical and direc t enzyme action