Aliphatic acids as spore germination inhibitors of wood-decay fungi in vitro

Abstract

Influences of eight saturated aliphatic acids (C5–C10, C12, and C16) on basidiospores of four isolates of wood-decay fungi (Poria tenuis and Trametes hispida, white rot fungi, and two isolates of the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum) were observed in vitro. Spore responses after 24 h on malt extract agar containing 10, 102 or 103 ppm of each acid included normal germination, delay of germ tube emergence, vacuolation and degeneration of spore cytoplasm, and prevention of germ tube development without spore destruction. Acids of chain length C5–C10 prevented spore germination and killed spores of all fungi at concentrations of 20–50 ppm in media, whereas other acids tested were less active. Spore germination assay of decay fungi may prove useful as a screening tool to compare potency of wood preservatives.