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Updated: May 1, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
Published on: May 10, 2013
Biodegradation of polyester polyurethane during commercial composting and analysis of associated fungal communities
Urooj Zafar1, Petrus Nzerem2, Adrian Langarica-Fuentes1
1Faculty of Life Sciences, Michael Smith Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.
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.
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