Abstract
Fungal pigments, specifically those generated from spalting fungi, are being developed for broader use in the wood and textile industry, and due to their coloration properties, may also be useful as aesthetic bamboo dyes. This paper evaluates the potential use of fungal pigments in bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.), and compares the difference between natural spalting and the direct application of extracted fungal pigments of three known spalting fungi: Scytalidium cuboideum, Scytalidium ganodermophthorum, and Chlorociboria aeruginosa. Bamboo was significantly spalted by S. cuboideum under live inoculation, while the other two fungi did not colonize. For the direct application of fungal pigments, bamboo did not develop internal pigmentation with any pigment, but did develop visible surface color for S. cuboideium and C. aeruginosa. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of hyphae in bamboo vessels and parenchyma. An HPLC analysis for simple sugars showed the presence of glucose but no sucrose. Results indicate that the extracted pigments of the aforementioned fungi are ideal for the surface treatment of bamboo, while only direct inoculation of S. cuboideum is appropriate for internal coloration.
Highlights
Bamboo holds a growing presence in the lumber market [1] due to its fast growth rate and the low cost of procurement [2,3]
Scytalidium cuboideum had the highest percentage of external area coverage for all the incubation times overall, with the highest value for the exterior spalting in week 10 (65.8%), and in week 14 (57.51%) for the internal area
For the natural spalting test, S. cuboideum had the highest pigmentation rate, with an external pigmented area of 33.25% in four weeks. This result can be compared with a previous test performed by Robinson [26,34], where S. cuboideum obtained a similar result in sugar maple from six to ten weeks
Summary
Bamboo holds a growing presence in the lumber market [1] due to its fast growth rate and the low cost of procurement [2,3]. Some of the most common bamboo products on the market today include tables, flooring, chairs, decorative bowls, and kitchenware. These items are in direct competition with dicot wood products, and have bled into the traditional textile markets. The current style trends towards the application of varnishes, anilines, and other finishes to alter bamboo’s natural color [6]. Most of these finishes contain inorganic pigments that are composed of heavy metals such as lead, chromium, and copper, which come from non-renewable sources [7]. Many of these inorganic pigments have been determined to be toxic, especially the ones containing lead
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