Michaelis–Menten Kinetics for Enzymatic Depolymerization of a Linear Polyester Synthesized from Z-Protected Glutamic Acid

A biodegradable polyester resin was polymerized from N-benzyloxycarbonylL -glutamic acid and ethylene glycol. Rhizopus delemar lipase was used as a biocatalyst for the rupture of ester bonds during the hydrolysis studies. Depolymerization was observed to followa Michaelis–Menten mechanism, with the maximumrate of monomer formation dP/dtmax = 1.12 x 10-8 mol/s and the rate constant Km x 2.03 x 10-4 mol. Subject to initial conditions described by the most probable distribution and Michaelis–Menten–type depolymerization rate expressions, population density distribution dynamics of the polymeric molecules that formed the resin were explicitly described using a deterministic approach.