Microbial depolymerization processes of xenobiotic polymers are discussed. A mathematical model is formulated and inverse problems for a time factor and a molecular factor of a degradation rate are described. Experimental outcomes are introduced in inverse analyses. Once the time factor and the molecular factor are obtained, the microbial depolymerization process is simulated. Numerical techniques are illustrated and numerical results are presented.

Prof. Masaji Watanabe started working at the Andalas University, Padang, Republic of Indonesia while being an emeritus professor and a specially appointed professor, Okayama University, Japan. He specializes in applied mathematics, and his research fields include microbial depolymerization processes. He has been working on subjects such as biodegradation process of polyethylene and polyethylene glycol utilizing mathematical techniques in joint study with Professor Fusako Kawai (Emeritus Professor, Okayama University).