Non-ionic polysorbate surfactants: Alternative inducers of medium-chain-length poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) (MCL-PHAs) for production of extracellular MCL-PHA depolymerases

► Non-ionic polysorbate surfactants induced the production of MCL-PHA depolymerases. ► The induction effect was commonly observed in various MCL-PHA-degrading bacteria. ► Tween compounds can be useful as a favorable substrate for production of the enzymes.