TABLE 2.

Substrates used for screening for various hydrolytic abilities of consortia strains^a

^aShort-, medium-, and long-chained substrates were used to assess specificity and promiscuity of esterase and lipase activities among strains. Simple triglyceride tributyrin was used to screen for basic ester cleavage. Tween 20 and Tween 80 were used to screen hydrolytic activities classified between esterases and true lipases. Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid and was used to detect distinctly different lipase and esterase activities than those screened with Tween. Olive oil, a long-chain fatty acid, indicated true lipase activity. Polycaprolactone, a biodegradable polyester, was used to detect polymer hydrolysis/polyurethane esterase activities.