| abstract |
PCT No. PCT/FR96/00676 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 30, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 30, 1997 PCT Filed May 3, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96/34986 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 7, 1996A biodegradation method for polyorganosiloxanes (POS), particularly polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), includes contacting the POS with one or more microscopic fungi, preferably in the presence of at least one co-substrate, said fungus being selected from the family of Corticiacea, preferably of the genus Phanaerochaete or Aspergillus, more preferably Aspergillus sydowii BJS94, Phanerochaete sordida and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. A screening method comprises contacting a microscopic fungus with POS, preferably with PDMS, in the presence of a co-substrate, and evaluating the capacity of the fungus to degrade the POS. The fungi disclosed in the invention can be used in the biodegradation method. An isolate of Aspergillus sydowii BJS94 is also disclosed. |