Set of Small Molecule Polyurethane (PU) Model Substrates: Ecotoxicity Evaluation and Identification of PU Degrading Biocatalysts

Polyurethanes (PUs) are an exceedingly heterogeneous group of plastic polymers, widely used in a variety industries from construction to medical implants. In the past decades, we have witnessed accumulation PU waste and its detrimental environmental impacts. PUs been identified as one most toxic polymers leaching hazardous compounds derived both polymer itself additives production. Further impact assessment, identification characterization substances materials establishing efficient degradation strategies crucial. Thus, selection eight synthetic model which represent partial hydrolysis products were synthesized characterized terms toxicity suitability be substrates for novel biocatalysts biodegradation. Overall, exhibited low vitro cytotoxicity against healthy human fibroblast cell line virtually no effect on nematode Caenorhabditis elegans up 500 µg mL−1, two showed moderate aquatic ecotoxicity with EC50 values 53 mL−1 45 respectively, Aliivibrio fischeri. The successfully applied study mechanism ester urethane bond cleaving preference known plastic-degrading enzymes single out PU-degrading biocatalyst, Amycolatopsis mediterranei ISP5501, among 220 microbial strains. A. ISP5501 can also degrade commercially available polyether polyester materials, reducing average molecular number 13.5%. This uncovered biocatalyst capable degrading different types potential responsible key step developing biotechnological process treatment options.