Mathematical study of the biodegradation of xenobiotic polymers with experimental data introduced into analysis

Abstract

A mathematical model for a microbial depolymerization process is analyzed numerically in order to study the biodegradation of a xenobiotic polymer. The weight distribution of a polymer with respect to the molecular weight before and after cultivation of microorganisms are introduced into computational analysis. A time dependent degradation rate is determined by solving an inverse problem, and the transition of the weight distribution is simulated. The result shows that the mathematical model is practically appropriate, and the oxidation is the primary factor in the biodegradation of the polymer. The techniques that can be extended to cover the biodegradation of other polymers are illustrated.