Fomitopsis Palustris Research Articles

Resistance of gamma-irradiated sapwood of Cryptomeria japonica to biological attacks

Any means helpful for the promotion of termite feeding activity has potential for use in a matrix in termite bait application. Therefore, energy transfer by gamma irradiation is worthy of consideration for converting wood into termite-accessible material. Wood specimens gamma-irradiated at 100 kGy and at lower levels were tested for their degrees of polymerization (DP) of cellulose and biological resistance. The DP of cellulose adversely decreased with increased doses of gamma irradiation. Termite wood consumption rates, which were determined by laboratory tests using undifferentiated larvae (workers) of Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, were significantly higher at 100 kGy than at other doses. On the other hand, the decay resistance of gamma-irradiated wood against the fungi Fomitopsis palustris (Berkeley et Curtis) Murrill and Trametes versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel did not vary by irradiation dose.

Involvement of FpTRP26, a thioredoxin-related protein, in oxalic acid-resistance of the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris

Brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris grows vigorously at high concentrations of oxalic acid (OA), which is fungal metabolite during wood decay. We isolated a cDNA FpTRP26 from F. palustris by functional screening of yeast transformants with cDNAs grown on plates containing OA. FpTRP26 conferred a specific resistance to OA on the transformant. OA-content in transformants grown with 2 mM OA decreased by 65% compared to that of the control. The amount of FpTRP26 transcript in F. palustris amplified with increasing OA-accumulation, and was maintained at high levels even in the stationary phase. Its transcription in F. palustris was inducible in response to exogenously added OA. These results suggest that FpTRP26 is involved in the OA-resistance in F. palustris.

Seasonal and height-dependent fluctuation of starch and free glucose contents in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) and its relation to attack by termites and decay fungi

The potential of termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) and fungal attacks [Fomitopsis palustris (Berkeley et Curtis) Murrill (FFPRI 0507) and Trametes versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel (FFPRI 1030)] against moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) were evaluated with regard to the seasonal and height-dependent changes of the free glucose and starch contents, which were measured by a newly developed method. The free glucose contents were generally lower in autumn and winter than in spring and summer, whereas the lowest starch contents were obtained in August, and the contents increased almost linearly up to February and March. In terms of the height-dependent fluctuation, the free glucose contents tended to decrease as the sampling heights increased. There was no special correlation between the free glucose or starch contents and the consumption by termites, even though higher mortalities were obtained in the bamboo-fed termites than in the wood-fed termites. However, a positive correlation between the free glucose contents and mass losses of the samples at 4-m and 8-m heights from the bottom by the decay fungi was observed. For starch, no influence on fungal attack was found.

Combined effect of boron compounds and heat treatments on wood properties: Boron release and decay and termite resistance

Abstract The decay and termite resistance of boric acid (BA)- and di-sodium octoborate tetrahydrate (DOT)-treated sugi sapwood was tested in the context of additional heat treatments at two temperature levels. Heat treatments had no effect on boron release and almost all boron was leached from specimens during a 10-day weathering period. Decay tests with the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris and the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor and a 3-week termite resistance test with the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus were performed. Heat treatments did not increase the decay resistance of either BA- or DOT-treated specimens against the brown-rot fungus. However, the decay resistance of BA-treated specimens against the same fungus increased after heat treatment at 220°C for 2 h. Heat treatments at 180°C for 4 h and 220°C for 2 h also resulted in increased decay resistance of DOT-treated specimens against T. versi-color. Increased resistance against termite attack was observed only in DOT-treated specimens heated at 180°C for 4 h or at 220°C for 2 h. Accordingly, a synergistic effect between heat and DOT treatments was observed for resistance against white-rot decay and termites.

Subcellular localization of glyoxylate cycle key enzymes involved in oxalate biosynthesis of wood-destroying basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris grown on glucose

This study investigated the subcellular localization of key enzymes of the glyoxylate cycle, i.e. isocitrate lyase (ICL; EC 4.1.3.1) and malate synthase (EC 2.3.3.9), that function constitutively in coordination with oxalate biosynthesis of glucose-grown Fomitopsis palustris. The ICL purified previously from F. palustris is termed FPICL1. Subcellular fractionation analysis of the cell homogenate by the sucrose density-gradient method showed that both key enzymes were present in peroxisomes, whereas acetyl-CoA synthase (EC 6.2.1.1) and oxalate-producing oxaloacetate acetylhydrolase (EC 3.7.1.1) were cytosolic. The peroxisomal localization of FPICL1 was further confirmed by electron microscopic and immunocytochemical analysis with anti-FPICL1 antibody. In addition, the peroxisomal target signal, composed of SKL at the C terminus of the cDNA encoding FPICL1, was found, which also suggests that FPICL1 is peroxisomal. Accordingly, it is postulated that transportation of succinate from peroxisomes to mitochondria, and vice versa, for the transportation of isocitrate or citrate, occurs in glucose-grown F. palustris for the constitutive metabolic coordination of the TCA and glyoxylate cycles with oxalate biosynthesis.

Purification, identification and molecular cloning of glycoside hydrolase family 15 glucoamylase from the brown-rot basidiomyceteFomitopsis palustris

The brown-rot basidiomycete Fomitopsis palustris produces a major extracellular enzyme of 72 kDa when the fungus is incubated in cellulose culture with 0.2% cellobiose. This protein was purified by column chromatography, and the amino acid sequences of its proteolytic fragments were analyzed. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of one of the fragments showed high identity with fungal glycoside hydrolase family 15 glucoamylases. As its kinetic efficiency increased in proportion to the degree of polymerization of the substrate, the protein was identified as a glucoamylase. A cDNA encoding the glucoamylase (gla) was cloned by reverse transcriptase PCR.

Preparation of acetoacetylated wood meal and its properties. Part 1. Preparation of parameter and preliminary evaluation of the antifungal activity

Abstract Acetoacetylated wood meal (AAWM) was prepared and a preliminary evaluation of its antifungal activity was carried out. Acetoacetylation of wood meal proceeded almost quantitatively with diketene under optimal reaction conditions, even as a heterogeneous reaction. Diketene concentration was the most important governing factor for this reaction. AAWM with a high weight percentage gain inhibited the fungal growth of Fomitopsis palustris.

Biological resistance of wood treated with zinc and copper metaborates

Abstract Insoluble metaborates were formed by impregnating wood with borax and metallic salts, and the biological resistance of samples treated with metaborates was evaluated. The double-diffusion process was carried out to form metaborate precipitates in sapwood specimens of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica). Water-saturated wood specimens were first impregnated by a saturated borax solution and then diffusion-penetrated with solutions of zinc sulfate or copper sulfate of different concentrations. In laboratory-scale termite tests of wood specimens treated with zinc and copper metaborates at five concentrations from 3% to 20% using a virulent subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), metaborate-treated wood showed negligible weight loss, with high termite mortality at the lowest concentration of 3%. An additional termite test for treatments at lower concentrations of 1% and 2% revealed good termite resistance even with small weight gains of 2.3–6.7%. In field termite tests using a tropical dominant termite (Macrotermes gilvus) in Serpong, Indonesia, wood specimens of 2 cm (r)×2 cm (t)×10 cm (l) treated with metaborates at 5% and 20% showed little weight loss against termite attack for 2 months or more. In addition, in a decay test using a white-rot fungus (Trametes versicolor) and a brown-rot fungus (Fomitopsis palustris), metaborate-treated woods showed enhanced decay resistance. This superb enhancement of biological resistance against termite and decay attacks is considered to be attributable to the presence of metaborates containing effective components such as boron, zinc or copper in the cell walls, which were detected by EPMA observations.

Decay and termite resistance of plywood treated with various fire retardants

This study evaluated the ability of white and brown rot fungi and termites to decompose fire retardant-treated (FRT) or untreated-plywood by measuring mass loss. Plywood was manufactured using Ekaba ( Tetraberlinia bifoliolata Harms.) veneers which were previously treated with either boric acid, borax, mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP), or di-ammonium phosphate (DAP). Plywood specimens were then subjected to fungal decay resistance tests performed according to Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A-9201 method using a brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris (Berkeley et Curtis) Murrill and a white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel. The specimens were also assayed against the subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki to determine termite resistance. Boron and phosphorus chemicals used in the study increased the resistance of plywood panels against both fungal and termite attack. Plywood panels treated with boric acid and borax resulted in less mass losses when compared to MAP and DAP-treated specimens in decay and termite resistance tests.

The effect of substituent distribution on the decay resistance of chemically modified wood

Fungal durability of chemically modified wood was investigated with respect to the macroscopic distribution of substituents. Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) sapwood samples were treated with modifying chemicals, which involved acid anhydrides (benzoic and n-hexanoic anhydrides) and acid chlorides (benzoyl and n-hexanoyl chlorides), to prepare benzoylated and n-hexanoylated wood. Neutron radiography technique was applied to visualize and evaluate the distribution of the substituents in those modified wood samples. Results revealed that the reaction with acid chlorides led to the heterogeneous distribution, high content of the substituents near the cross sections but relatively low content inside, while the modification with acid anhydrides resulted in the almost homogeneous distribution. The effect of such different distribution on the decay resistance was estimated by using the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris. It was found that wood samples modified with benzoyl and n-hexanoyl anhydrides exhibited clearly higher resistance against the brown-rot decay than those modified with corresponding acid chlorides, indicating the homogeneous distribution of the substituents is more effective. These results demonstrate that the substituent distribution is one of the important factors for the decay resistance of chemically modified wood.

Laboratory evaluation of boron-containing quaternary ammonia compound, didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) for control of decay and termite attack and fungal staining of wood

This study evaluates the decay and termite resistance of wood treated with didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF), a recently developed quaternary ammonia compound containing boron. Laboratory decay resistance tests were performed using brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris and white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor. Treated wood specimens were also subjected a 3-week-termite resistance test using subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus. Decay resistance tests showed that wood specimens treated with 0.5 and 1.0% DBF solutions were well protected against both fungi even after a 10-day severe leaching process, suggesting the adequate fixation of DBF in wood. DBF treatment at 0.1% concentration was efficient against subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki based on mass losses in both leached and unleached wood specimens. The ability of DBF to inhibit discolorations by selected mold and stain fungi was also screened in laboratory conditions. DBF at the highest concentration level (1%) provided limited protection against mold and staining fungi tested, however, it was effective for only short-term protection (1 or 2 weeks) at lower concentrations. These results suggest that DBF is promising to protect wood to be used outdoors against both fungal decay and termite attack however field tests are needed to observe the performance of DBF-treated wood in ground contact.

Changes of decay and termite durabilities of Japanese larch (Larix leptolepis) wood due to high-temperature kiln drying processes

We investigated the effects of high-temperature drying schedules (120°–130°C) on decay and termite feeding of Japanese larch timbers. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted to investigate changes of the wood components. Decay and termite feeding tests showed that specimens dried under high-temperature schedules were susceptible against a decaying fungus Fomitopsis palustris and attacks from termites Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes speratus. These drying schedules changed chemical components, which were suggested by the thermal analytical result compared to the control sample. The results of this study indicated that the acceleration of termite feeding takes place even under temperatures that are comparatively lower than that used in our previous research in which 170°C steaming treatment was applied to Japanese larch wood. Decay durability against a brown rot fungus also decreased, possibly from production of low molecular weight fragments when hemicellulose decreased during the high-temperature drying processes.

Erratum to: Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood by brown-rot fungi Fomitopsis palustris, Coniophora puteana, and Laetiporus sulphureus

This study evaluated oxalic acid accumulation and bioremediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood by three brown-rot fungi Fomitopsis palustris, Coniophora puteana, and Laetiporus sulphureus. The fungi were first cultivated in a fermentation broth to accumulate oxalic acid. Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood was then carried out by leaching of heavy metals with oxalic acid over a 10-day fermentation period. Higher amounts of oxalic acid were produced by F. palustris and L. sulphureus compared with C. puteana. After 10-day fermentation, oxalic acid accumulation reached 4.2 g/l and 3.2 g/l for these fungi, respectively. Fomitopsis palustris and L. sulphureus exposed to CCA-treated sawdust for 10 days showed a decrease in arsenic of 100% and 85%, respectively; however, C. puteana remediation removed only 18% arsenic from CCA-treated sawdust. Likewise, chromium removal in F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes was higher than those for C. puteana. This was attributed to low oxalic acid accumulation. These results suggest that F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes can remove inorganic metal compounds via oxalic acid production by increasing the acidity of the substrate and increasing the solubility of the metals.

Surface treatment for preventing decay and termite attack in wood using didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF) incorporated with acryl-silicon type resin

Surface treatment of wood was carried out using acryl-silicon type resin including didecyl dimethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (DBF), boron-containing quaternary ammonia compound. Surface-treated wood specimens were exposed laboratory decay resistance tests after completing a 10-cyle severe weathering process. In laboratory decay resistance tests, one brown-rot decay fungus, Fomitopsis palustris and one white-rot decay fungus, Trametes versicolor were used. The specimens were also subjected to laboratory termite resistance tests using subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus. Wood specimens treated with 2% DBF and resin containing preservative solution showed improved decay and termite resistance suggesting that the preservative solution at 2% DBF concentration provides lasting protection against wood degradation owing to the amount of DBF remaining in the wood after severe weathering process. However field tests are needed to determine the performance of surface-treated wood with DBF and the acryl-silicon type resin in more realistic conditions.

Transportation mechanism for vanillin uptake through fungal plasma membrane

Protoplasts of the basidiomycete, Fomitopsis palustris (formerly Tyromyces palustris), were utilized to study a function of the fungal plasma membrane. Fungal protoplasts exhibited metabolic activities as seen with intact mycelial cells. Furthermore, the uptake of certain compounds into the protoplast cells was quantitatively observed by using non-radioactive compounds. Vanillin was converted to vanillyl alcohol and vanillic acid as major products and to protocatechuic acid and 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene as trace products by protoplasts prepared from F. palustris. Extracellular culture medium showed no activity responsible for the redox reactions of vanillin. Only vanillic acid was detected in the intracellular fraction of protoplasts. However, the addition of disulfiram, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, caused an intracellular accumulation of vanillin, strongly suggesting that vanillin is taken up by the cell, followed by oxidation to vanillic acid. The addition of carbonylcyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone, which dissipates the pH gradient across the plasma membrane, inhibited the uptake of either vanillin or vanillic acid into the cell. Thus, the fungus seems to possess transporter devices for both vanillin and vanillic acid for their uptake. Since vanillyl alcohol was only observed extracellularly, the reduction of vanillin was thought to be catalyzed by a membrane system.

Blockboard with boron-treated veneers: laboratory decay and termite resistance tests

This study is evaluated by measuring the weight loss, and the ability of white- and brown-rot fungi and termites to attack untreated and boron-treated blockboard manufactured using untreated fir (Abies bornmulleriana M.) strips sandwiched between Ekaba (Tetraberlinia bifoliolata Harms.) veneers at final assembly. The veneers were treated with either boric acid or disodium octoborate tetrahydrate, or mixtures of these chemicals, and blockboard specimens were subjected to fungal decay resistance tests performed according to the Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A-9201 method using the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis palustris (Berkeley et Curtis) Murrill and the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor (L. ex Fr.) Quel. Blockboard specimens were also tested against the subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki to determine termite resistance. Blockboard specimens with boron-treated veneers demonstrated increased durability against decay fungi and termite attack. However, sealing of untreated fir strips before decay resistance tests helped reduce significantly the weight losses in blockboard with either untreated or boron-treated veneers. Although blockboard is usually used in indoor applications, incorporation of boron-based biocides may be required for increasing resistance to fungal decay and termite attack and giving fire retardancy.

Effects of N?-N-(1, 8-Naphthalyl) hydroxylamine (NHA-Na) and hydroxynaphthalimide (NHA-H) on boron leachability and biological degradation of wood

Although boron wood preservatives have many advantages, boron itself does not adequately protect wood in ground contact and exterior applications because its susceptibility to leaching. As a result of previous studies to limit or decrease boron leaching, several fixation systems have been developed. In this study, we evaluated the effects of N′-N-(1, 8-Naphthalyl) hydroxylamine (NHA-Na) and hydroxynaphthalimide (NHA-H) on boron leaching and decay and termite resistance via possible boron precipitation in wood after NHA treatments at varying concentrations. Results showed that treatment of wood blocks with disodium octaborate tetrahydrate (DOT), boric acid (BA), or calcium tetraborate (CaB) incorporation with 1.0% NHA-Na solutions in sequential processes appears to somewhat reduce the susceptibility of boron to leaching. Blocks treated sequentially with boron compounds and then 1.0% NHA-Na solutions showed about 30% less boron leaching compared to boron only treated blocks. In addition, the existence of boron and NHA-Na in wood together showed a synergistic effect against brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris. We conclude that the relationship between boron and NHA-Na concentration in wood as regards precipitation possibilities appears to be predictive for reducing boron leachability.

Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood by brown-rot fungi Fomitopsis palustris, Coniophora puteana, and Laetiporus sulphureus

This study evaluated oxalic acid accumulation and bioremediation of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood by three brown-rot fungi Fomitopsis palustris, Coniophora puteana, and Laetiporus sulphureus. The fungi were first cultivated in a fermentation broth to accumulate oxalic acid. Bioremediation of CCA-treated wood was then carried out by leaching of heavy metals with oxalic acid over a 10-day fermentation period. Higher amounts of oxalic acid were produced by F. palustris and L. sulphureus compared with C. puteana. After 10-day fermentation, oxalic acid accumulation reached 4.2 g/l and 3.2 g/l for these fungi, respectively. Fomitopsis palustris and L. sulphureus exposed to CCA-treated sawdust for 10 days showed a decrease in arsenic of 100% and 85%, respectively; however, C. puteana remediation removed only 18% arsenic from CCA-treated sawdust. Likewise, chromium removal in F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes was higher than those for C. puteana. This was attributed to low oxalic acid accumulation. These results suggest that F. palustris and L. sulphureus remediation processes can remove inorganic metal compounds via oxalic acid production by increasing the acidity of the substrate and increasing the solubility of the metals.

Antifungal activity of constituents from the heartwood of Gmelina arborea: Part 1. Sensitive antifungal assay against Basidiomycetes

Abstract Antifungal activity of constituents from the heartwood of the Malaysian Gmelina arborea against Trametes versicolor and Fomitopsis palustris was investigated. A sensitive bioassay system for antifungal activity against basidiomycetes was developed which uses a medium in which homogenized hyphae were dispersed. Ethyl acetate- solubles from the heartwood showed the highest activity against both fungi, although the activity against F. palustris was quite weak. Spots exhibiting antifungal activity against T. versicolor were specified by autobiography of ethyl acetate-solubles, and five constituents were isolated and identified as (+)-7′-O-ethyl arboreol, (+)-paulownin, (+)-gmelinol, (+)-epieudesmin and (−)-β-sitosterol. The four lignans showed antifungal activity, whereas β-sitosterol did not. From the comparison of antifungal activity, it was concluded that the piperonyl nucleus contributed to the activity of lignans. Of the four lignans isolated, gmelinol appeared to be an important antifungal constituent, since it was rich in the heartwood of G. arborea. Furthermore, the synergism by coexistence of these five compounds was confirmed.

Preliminary evaluation of fungicidal and termiticidal activities of filtrates from biomass slurry fuel production

Biomass slurry fuel (BSF) production has recently been developed as a natural energy for the conversion of solid biomass into fuel. In addition to using fuel, filtrates from BSF production may also serve a chemical source with several organic compounds. There is an increasing interest in the research and application of biomass-based filtrates. In this study, fungicidal and termiticidal properties of filtrates from BSF production using sugi ( Cryptomeria japonica) and acacia ( Acacia mangium) wood were evaluated in laboratory decay and termite resistance tests. Wood blocks treated with the filtrates showed increased resistance against brown-rot fungus, Fomitopsis palustris. However the filtrates from sugi wood processed at 270 °C which contained less phenolic compounds than the other filtrates were effective against white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor. Phenolic compounds of filtrates seemed to play a role in the decay resistance tests however the filtrates did not increase the durability of the wood blocks against subterranean termites Coptotermes formosanus. Despite high acetic and lactic acid content of the filtrates, vanillin content of the filtrates may have served as an additional food source and promoted termite attack. It can be concluded that filtrates with phenolic compounds from lignin degradation during BSF production can be considered for targeted inhibition of brown-rot.