Biodegradation of Wood Treated with Copper Based Preservative by Two Dematiaceous Fungi: Alternaria Tenuissima and Ulocladium Consortiale

Authors

  • Vita RAUDONIENĖ Nature Research Centre
  • Danguolė BRIDŽIUVIENĖ
  • Eglė MALACHOVSKIENĖ
  • Loreta LEVINSKAITĖ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.25.3.20563

Keywords:

treated wood, biodegradation, lignocellulolytic enzymes, soft rot fungi

Abstract

As cases of treated wood colonization by fungi still happen, the understanding of fungal survival abilities could contribute in the creation of new efficient preservatives. For that reason, two dematiaceous fungi Alternaria tenuissima and Ulocladium consortiale isolated from treated wooden joists with discolorations were tested for their wood decomposition ability and tolerance to a copper based preservative. Our results indicated that the copper based preservative failed to suppress completely cellulose and lignin biodegradation by discoloring fungi studied in wood. Moreover, cellulose degradation was higher in the treated sawdust for both fungi after 30 days than in the untreated. Comparing the results of two strains U. consortiale that is little studied as a wood decomposer, was stronger lignin degrader than A. tenuissima in treated and untreated sawdust. The copper sulphate tolerance test showed that both fungi were able to grow up to 7 mM concentration in a solid medium.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.25.3.20563

Downloads

Published

2019-05-10

Issue

Section

POLYMERS AND COMPOSITES, WOOD