ENZYMATIC DEGRADATION OF POLY(EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE) FILM IN PHOSPHATEBUFFER SOLUTION CONTAINING LIPASES

The enzymatic degradation of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) films in phosphate buffer solution containing lipases has been studied by DSC, WAXD and SEM. Three lipases, pseudomonas lipase (PS), porcine pancrea tic lipase (PP), and candida cylindracea lipase (AY), were used. The r esults showed that the degradation of PCL films in phosphate buffer so lution containing PP or AY was very slow: no weight loss could be foun d within 1 week. However, PCL film could degrade rapidly and completel y within 4 days in phosphate buffer solution containing PS lipase. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.