Abstract
Several species of fungi were tested for deterioration activity to polyacrylonitrile (PAN) filaments. These tests were carried out by methods of culture test and enzymatic treatment. Each fungus was cultured at 30°C for 6 days under shaking in 15ml of medium containing 300mg of PAN. PAN filaments, 500mg, were incubated at 30°C for 14 days under shaking in 25ml of the solution containing 0.02% nitrogen of enzyme protein which was prepared from the broth of each fungus.
Weight reduction of PAN filaments, production of ammonia and change of spectrum in DMF for tested filaments were estimated.
It was recognized that Cladosporium cladosporioides FERM J-8 (CC) most strongly deteriorated PAN filament.
Furthermore, it is assumed that the degradation pathway of PAN with CC strain is caused by the cooperative actions of nitrile hydratase and amidase.
