Comparative study on biodegradability of polyethylene wax by bacteria and fungi

Biodegradability of polyethylene wax (PEwax) was studied comparatively between degraders in two different classes: bacteria and fungi. Gel permeation chromatography patterns were obtained before and after cultivation of a bacterial consortium KH-12 and a fungus, Aspergillus sp. AK-3 in culture media containing PEwax as their sole carbon sources for three weeks, and they were introduced into a mathematical model based on two primary factors: the gradual weight loss of large molecules due to β-oxidation processes and the direct consumption of small molecules by cells. The total consumption rates and the β-oxidation rates for both of these degraders were determined numerically, and their degradability was compared.