Wood Decay Research Articles

The white rot basidiomycete Gelatoporia subvermispora produces fatty aldehydes that enable fungal manganese peroxidases to degrade recalcitrant lignin structures.

The ability of some white rot basidiomycetes to remove lignin selectively from wood indicates that low molecular weight oxidants have a role in ligninolysis. These oxidants are likely free radicals generated by fungal peroxidases from compounds in the biodegrading wood. Past work supports a role for manganese peroxidases (MnPs) in the production of ligninolytic oxidants from fungal membrane lipids. However, the fatty acid alkylperoxyl radicals initially formed during this process are not reactive enough to attack the major structures in lignin. Here, we evaluate the hypothesis that the peroxidation of fatty aldehydes might provide a source of more reactive acylperoxyl radicals. We found that Gelatoporia subvermispora produced trans-2-nonenal, trans-2-octenal, and n-hexanal (a likely metabolite of trans-2,4-decadienal) during the incipient decay of aspen wood. Fungal fatty aldehydes supported the in vitro oxidation by MnPs of a nonphenolic lignin model dimer, and also of the monomeric model veratryl alcohol. Experiments with the latter compound showed that the reactions were partially inhibited by oxalate, the chelator that white rot fungi employ to detach Mn3+ from the MnP active site, but nevertheless proceeded at its physiological concentration of 1 mM. The addition of catalase was inhibitory, which suggests that the standard MnP catalytic cycle is involved in the oxidation of aldehydes. MnP oxidized trans-2-nonenal quantitatively to trans-2-nonenoic acid with the consumption of one O2 equivalent. The data suggest that when Mn3+ remains associated with MnP, it can oxidize aldehydes to their acyl radicals, and the latter subsequently add O2 to become ligninolytic acylperoxyl radicals.IMPORTANCEThe biodegradation of lignin by white rot fungi is essential for the natural recycling of plant biomass and has useful applications in lignocellulose bioprocessing. Although fungal peroxidases have a key role in ligninolysis, past work indicates that biodegradation is initiated by smaller, as yet unidentified oxidants that can infiltrate the substrate. Here, we present evidence that the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of naturally occurring fungal aldehydes may provide a source of ligninolytic free radical oxidants.

Degradation of Mechanical Performance of Hoop Head Tenon-Mortise Joint of Tusi Manor with Decay Disease in Tibetan Areas in Yunnan

(1) The Hoop Head Tenon-mortise Joint (HHTMJ) in the Tusi Manor in Tibetan areas in Yunnan, China, has a serious decay phenomenon. To understand the effect of decay on the seismic performance of HHTMJ, (2) the five groups of HHTMJ and small-size Pinus kesiya var. langbianensis wood mechanical property testing specimens were placed in an artificially set decay environment and cultivated together with wood decay fungi for 0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks, respectively. Low-cycle repeated loading tests were conducted to compare the failure mode, hysteresis curve, skeleton curve, and cumulative energy consumption of the HHTMJ under different decay cycles. (3) The results indicate that the failure mode of the HHTMJ is fractured at the tenon shoulder, and the deformation and failure of the tenon increase with the increase in decay. Compared with the non-decayed specimens, the ultimate bearing performance of the specimens after 6, 12, 18, and 24 weeks of decay decreased by 8.83%, 16.97%, 19.69%, and 30.22%, respectively. The cumulative energy consumption decreased by 21.6%, 27.4%, 33.2%, and 41.3%, respectively. (4) Decay primarily occurs on the exterior of the tenon, with minimal decay on the interior. The degradation of seismic performance in HHTMJ is relatively close to the degradation observed in small-size wood specimens during mechanical property testing.

Specific activity and utility of recombinant cellobiohydrolase II (Cel6A) produced in maize endosperm.

Cellobiohydrolase II (CBH II) is an exo-glucanase that is part of a fungal mixture of enzymes from a wood-rot fungus, Trichoderma reesei. It is therefore difficult to purify and to establish a specific activity assay. The gene for this enzyme, driven by the rice Os glutelin promoter, was transformed into High II tissue culture competent corn, and the enzyme accumulated in the endosperm of the seed. The transgenic line recovered from tissue culture was bred into male and female elite Stine inbred corn lines, stiff stalk 16083-025 (female) and Lancaster MSO411 (male), for future production in their hybrid. The enzyme increases its accumulation throughout its 6 generations of back crosses, 27-266-fold between T1 and T2, and 2-10-fold between T2 and T3 generations with lesser increases in T4-T6. The germplasm of the inbred lines replaces the tissue culture corn variety germplasm with each generation, with the ultimate goal of producing a high-yielding hybrid with the transgene. The CBH II enzyme was purified from T5 inbred male grain 10-fold to homogeneity with 47.5% recovery. The specific activity was determined to be 1.544 units per µg protein. The corn-derived CBH II works in biopolishing of cotton by removing surface fibers to improve dyeability and increasing glucose from corn flour for increasing ethanol yield from starch-based first-generation processes.

Water-Related Properties and Biological Durability of Wood-Based Composites

There is insufficient data regarding the biodegradation of wood-based composites (WBC) by wood decay fungi. This study aimed to evaluate the biological durability and water-related properties of different WBC types. Although WBC are primarily designed for dry environments, in building applications, they may face increased moisture risks due to water leakage, condensation, or humid air. The panels, including oak-pine shield parquet (OPP), oriented strand board (OSB), birch plywood (BP), particle board (PB), laminated particle board (LPB), moisture-resistant particle board (MRPB), medium density fibreboard (MDF), laminated medium density fibreboard (LMDF) and moisture resistant medium density fibreboard (MRMDF), were subjected to attack by brown rot fungus Coniphora puteana. After 16 weeks of exposure, the most resistant WBC against biodegradation were BP, moisture-resistant MDF, and laminated MDF, as they exhibited a mass loss lower than 5 %. Conversely, all other WBC types showed high susceptibility to biodegradation, with a mass loss exceeding 35 %. LMDF (8 – 51 %) and MRMDF had the lowest water absorption (WA) within 168 h (2 – 46 %), while non-treated MDF exhibited the highest WA among all composite types with 190 % water uptake. With regards to thickness swelling, all WBC types, except for LPB and MDF, demonstrated values below 20 %. The influence of adhesives (phenol-formaldehyde or melamine urea-formaldehyde) used in WBC did not show a clear impact on water-related properties orbiological durability.

Description of Nothotylenchus savadkoohensis n. sp. (Rhabditida, Anguinidae) from Iran based on morphological and molecular data.

Nothotylenchus savadkoohensis n. sp. was recovered from rotten wood samples of an unidentified forest tree in the Mazandaran province and described herein. It is mainly characterized by an elongated conoid tail ending in a sharply pointed tip and four lines in the lateral field. Females of the new species have 379-662 μm long bodies with 5.8-6.9 μm long stylets ending in fine posteriorly sloping knobs, the metacorpus not valvate, the pharyngeal bulb slightly overlapping the intestine, and the vulva at 76.5-84.0% of body length. Males are also common and have 13.0-14.5 μm long spicules and bursa cloacal. By having an elongated conoid tail and four lines in the lateral field, the new species comes close to four known species, namely N. acris, N. acutus, N. antricolus, and N. truncatus. The morphological differences between the new species and the abovementioned species are discussed. The new species was sequenced for its D2-D3 segment of LSU and ITS rDNA regions. In the LSU phylogenetic tree, the currently available LSU sequences of the genus Nothotylenchus occupied distant placements from each other and the LSU sequence of the new species formed clade with a sequence assigned to Neotylenchus sp. In ITS phylogeny, the newly generated sequence of the new species formed a clade with a clade that includes sequences of Ditylenchus sp. and Neomisticius platypi and N. variabilis.

Saturnispora sinensis sp. nov., a new ascomycetous yeast species from soil and rotten wood.

A yeast strain (CGMCC 2.6937T) belonging to the ascomycetous yeast genus Saturnispora was recently isolated from soil collected in Xinghuacun, Shanxi Province, PR China. The strain produces one or two ellipsoid or spherical ascospores in asci formed by the conjugation between a cell and its bud. Phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene suggest that this strain is conspecific with strains NYNU 14639 isolated from rotten wood collected in Funiu Mountain, Henan province and ES13S05 from soil collected in Nantou County, Taiwan. The CGMCC 2.6937T group is most closely related to Saturnispora dispora and Saturnispora zaruensis. However, strain CGMCC 2.6937T differs from S. dispora by 17 (3.2 %, 13 substitutions and four gaps) and 77 (18.8 %, 52 substitutions and 25 gaps) mismatches, and from S. zaruensis by 15 (2.9 %, 12 substitutions and three gaps) and 64 (15.6 %, 44 substitutions and 20 gaps) mismatches, in the D1/D2 domain and ITS region, respectively. The results suggest that the CGMCC 2.6937T group represents an undescribed species in the genus Saturnispora, for which the name Saturnispora sinensis sp. nov. is proposed. The holotype strain is CGMCC 2.6937T.

First report of Irpex rosettiformis causing white root rot in avocado trees in Michoacán, México.

In México, avocado production is an important economic source. In the last season it generated $ 3. 27 billion USD of foreign currency in the country. Irpex spp. are wood decay fungi. In the period 2019-2022, in the state of Michoacán (19°13' N; 101°55' W), México, basidiomes of Irpex sp. were observed on the base of trunks and crowns of 5-years-old and older avocado (Persea americana) trees. The trees exhibited disease symptoms that included white root rot, leaf yellowing, small leaves, branch diebacks, generalized defoliation, apical flaccidity, abundant but small sun burnt fruits due to the lack of foliage, and after 2-4 years of first disease appearance, the infected trees died. In the place where fungus was established, abundant white and cottony mycelium was formed, which caused trees decay. The incidence of the disease in the sampled orchards was estimated to be 30% per ha with 350 - 400 trees, which was determined through a simple sampling design focused on trees with signs and symptoms of the disease due to the phytopathogen. Samples of infected tissue (roots and stems) and fungal basidiomes were collected from 90 trees (5-6 per orchard). The symptomatic avocado trees studied were randomly selected from 17 orchards. For the fungal macroscopic characterization, the synoptic keys described by Gilbertson and Ryvarden (1986) and by Largent (1973) were used. The samples showed typical structures corresponding to Irpex sp., including rosettes, annual basidiomes, a system of monomitic hyphae, and subglobose basidiospores. In vitro fungal isolation from basidiomes and infected tree tissues was done according to the protocol of Agrios (2004). The fungal strains were maintained on PDA at 28 °C. At 16 days of incubation the colonies were opaque, whitish with fluffy and corky mycelium. Microscopic analysis of the fungus showed typical yellowish spores, with an ellipsoid shape of 3-4 x 4-5.5 µm (50 accounted structures per isolate [N=19]) and basidia of 20-25 x 4.5-5.5 µm (n=20 basidiomes). For molecular characterization, two molecular markers were used, the internal transcribed spacer rDNA-ITS1 5.8 rDNA-ITS2 (ITS; White et al. 1990) and the large ribosomal subunit (LSU; Vilgalys and Hester 1990). The PCR reaction was performed as described by Martínez-González et al. (2017). The consensus sequences were compared with those deposited in the NCBI-GenBank, using the BLASTN 2.2.19 tool (Zhang et al. 2000), the samples showed 99% match with the species, Irpex rosettiformis. GenBank accession numbers of the submitted isolates are summarized in supplementary Table 4. To test Koch's postulates, 3-months old avocado plants grown in greenhouse conditions were inoculated (n = 10 per each isolate [N= 19]) on the roots with 3 g of I. rosettiformis mycelium. The experiment was done twice with 20 non-inoculated plants as control. After 67 days, basidiomes (50 x 70 x 1.5 mm in average) were observed where the disease incidence was >77%, with subsequent tree decline. The pathogen was re-isolated in vitro in PDA and its identity was confirmed by morphological characteristics of mycelium. This work shows that I. rosettiformis is not only a wood decay fungus, but also a phytopathogen, the causative agent of white root rot disease in P. americana var. drymifolia, cultivar 'Hass', which establishes a precedent for monitoring and preventing its proliferation to other regions in the American continent and the world where nursery avocado seedlings are exported.

Nanoparticles enhanced ligninolytic enzymes activity of rotten wood fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium

White-rot fungi are vital microorganisms that can decay lignocellulosic biomass. This study investigated the ability of white-rot fungus found on rotten wood to produce ligninolytic enzymes and their enhancement using nanoparticles (NPs). Phanerochaete chrysosporium was isolated from decayed wood. Its ability to produce ligninolytic enzymes, namely CMCase, FPase, Laccase, and MnPase, was recorded. The enzymes’ productivity was enhanced via utilization of the surfactant polysorbate 80 with optimum concentration 0.20 mL/L for maximum CMCase (201.33 ± 2.31 U/mL) and FPase (66.33 ± 0.58 U/mL), whereas the corresponding value was 0.15 mL/L for laccase and MnPase production. Mn2O3NPs and CuONPs enhanced the enzymes’ productivity but with different levels according to their concentrations, where the maximum productivity of CMCase (220.67 ± 2.31 U/mL) and (FPase 74.63 ± 3.51 U/mL) were at 50 ppm, but MnPase (0.52 ± 0.01 U/mL) and laccase (2.88 ± 0.01U/mL) were at 25 ppm and 75 ppm of CuONPs, respectively. Mn2O3NPs at 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of CMCase (219.33 ± 1.15 U/mL) and FPase (74.63 ± 3.51U/mL); but at 25 ppm and 75 ppm enhanced the productivity of laccase (2.40 ± 0.04U/mL) and MnPase (0.73 ± 0.03 U/mL), respectively. Thus, NPs were found to play a vital role in improving the productivity of ligninolytic enzymes.

Sample Collection for Ganoderma Butt Rot of Palms

Palms are an integral part of the urban landscape in Florida. Ganoderma butt rot of palms, a disease caused by the wood-decaying white-rot fungus Ganoderma zonatum, is one of the major biotic concerns for the landscape industry. The lethal disease is prevalent across palm-growing regions in the US, and all palm species are believed to be susceptible to this fungus. It may take six months to a year for the diseased palm to die once the initial symptoms appear. But with the availability of a disease diagnostic assay, this fungal pathogen can be detected using saw dust samples collected from declining palms, several months before symptoms appear. Collect good quality samples by following these steps and understanding the caveats associated with each step.

Methionine oxidation of carbohydrate-active enzymes during white-rot wood decay.

White-rot fungi employ secreted carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) along with reactive oxygen species (ROS), like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), to degrade lignocellulose in wood. H2O2 serves as a co-substrate for key oxidoreductases during the initial decay phase. While the degradation of lignocellulose by CAZymes is well documented, the impact of ROS on the oxidation of the secreted proteins remains unclear, and the identity of the oxidized proteins is unknown. Methionine (Met) can be oxidized to Met sulfoxide (MetO) or Met sulfone (MetO2) with potential deleterious, antioxidant, or regulatory effects. Other residues, like proline (Pro), can undergo carbonylation. Using the white-rot Pycnoporus cinnabarinus grown on aspen wood, we analyzed the Met content of the secreted proteins and their susceptibility to oxidation combining H218O2 with deep shotgun proteomics. Strikingly, their overall Met content was significantly lower (1.4%) compared to intracellular proteins (2.1%), a feature conserved in fungi but not in metazoans or plants. We evidenced that a catalase, widespread in white-rot fungi, protects the secreted proteins from oxidation. Our redox proteomics approach allowed the identification of 49 oxidizable Met and 40 oxidizable Pro residues within few secreted proteins, mostly CAZymes. Interestingly, many of them had several oxidized residues localized in hotspots. Some Met, including those in GH7 cellobiohydrolases, were oxidized up to 47%, with a substantial percentage of sulfone (13%). These Met are conserved in fungal homologs, suggesting important functional roles. Our findings reveal that white-rot fungi safeguard their secreted proteins by minimizing their Met content and by scavenging ROS and pinpoint redox-active residues in CAZymes.IMPORTANCEThe study of lignocellulose degradation by fungi is critical for understanding the ecological and industrial implications of wood decay. While carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) play a well-established role in lignocellulose degradation, the impact of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on secreted proteins remains unclear. This study aims at evaluating the effect of H2O2 on secreted proteins, focusing on the oxidation of methionine (Met). Using the model white-rot fungi Pycnoporus cinnabarinus grown on aspen wood, we showed that fungi protect their secreted proteins from oxidation by reducing their Met content and utilizing a secreted catalase to scavenge exogenous H2O2. The research identified key oxidizable Met within secreted CAZymes. Importantly, some Met, like those of GH7 cellobiohydrolases, undergone substantial oxidation levels suggesting important roles in lignocellulose degradation. These findings highlight the adaptive mechanisms employed by white-rot fungi to safeguard their secreted proteins during wood decay and emphasize the importance of these processes in lignocellulose breakdown.

Analysis of Basidiomycete Fungal Communities in Soil and Wood from Contrasting Zones of the AWPA Biodeterioration Hazard Map across the United States

Wood deterioration due to basidiomycetous decay fungi shortens the useful life span of wood and wood-based materials. Prescriptive preservative treatment is the most effective way to reduce the detrimental effects of these microorganisms, particularly in soil contact and areas of critical use (difficult to replace or vital to structure). Current American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) guidelines in the standardized use category system specify 3 zones of severity regarding wood decay fungal hazards but contain very little information on the diversity and abundance of these fungi colonizing soil and wood. In this study, amplicon based sequencing was utilized to compare fungal communities in wood and adjacent soil to provide baseline data on the fungi involved in the process. A thorough understanding of decay hazards is critical for the proper selection and use of wood in soil contact. The goal of this work is to provide baseline data on basidiomycete fungal diversity and species composition in different zones of the existing 3-zone AWPA hazard map as compared to the previous 5-zone hazard map and Scheffer decay indices and discuss the ecological implications for wood decay.

Preliminary Investigation on the Effect of Termites on Wood Decay in Selected Sri Lankan Timber Species


 
 
 Wood in suitable environmental conditions can be attacked by bacteria, fungi, insects, marine borers and some other biological organisms. Wood is the main biodegradation material which is naturally occurred in surrounding environment. As heartwood of wood consist most of the nonliving cells it shows more resistance to decay than sapwood. But insects can cause degrade in both heartwood and sapwood which are not preserved well. Termites belong to Class: Insecta, Order: Isoptera which are one of the most important as ecological contributors by breaking down the organic material of the wood structures directly. This study was done to analyze the effect of termites of selected 27 species with having different densities varying from 400 kg/m3 to 1100 kg/m3 at 12% moisture content. Ten pieces of each and every species of Wewarana, Jack, Badidel, Halmilla, Dawata, Walukeena, Hulanhik, Kaluwara, Hora, Pihimbiya, Damaniya, Godakirilla, Pelan, Hik, Etamba, Lunumidella, Diya Na, Palu, Mora, Kirihembiliya, Nedun, Kon, Kumbuk, Dummala, Milla, Kirikon and Burutha were stored in a separate same type wooden boxes and kept in same environmental conditions where termites can be seen in high densities for one year of time period in Head Office premises of State Timber Corporation at Battaramulla. According to the naked eye observations taken after one year time period Hora, Dummala, Godakirilla species were severely attack by termites while Halmilla, Walukeena, Pihimbiya, Damaniya, Pelan, Etamba, Lunumidella, Diya Na, Kirikon also attack at considerable level by termites. Other species were not attack by termites. Therefore altogether out of 27 species 12 were degraded by termites for the allocated one year time period. The other species of Wewarana, Jack, Bedidel, Dawata, Hulanhik, Kaluwara, Hik, Palu, Mora, Kirihembiliya, Nedun, Kon, Kumbuk, Milla, Burutha species were resistant to the termite attack during one year time period. However further studies are underway to develop the relationships of degradation due to termite attack with climatic conditions, geographical conditions, timber properties such as strength properties as well as the densities, mechanical properties with considerable time period which allocated to degrade.
 Keywords: Ttermites, Decay, Density, Time period
 
 

Unrevealing the Enhanced Laccase Activities of Phlebiopsis flavidoalba in the Presence of Lignin-Rich Raw Materials using Molecular Docking

Laccase, a versatile enzyme that belongs to the multi-copper oxidase family, exhibits extraordinary lignin-degrading capabilities. Among the diverse types of laccases, white-rot fungal laccases are considered some of the best lignin degraders, with various biotechnological and industrial applications. In our previous study, it was found that a wood-decaying white rot fungus, Phlebiopsis flavidoalba, is one of the highest laccase producers in vitro in the presence of rice husks as the raw material. However, it is unclear the exact mechanism and whether laccase directly interacts with the raw material, in this case, rice husks and its lignin model compound. Hence, the objective of the current study was to obtain laccase gene sequence from P. flavidoalba and subject it to molecular docking with lignin model compounds that are particularly found in rice husks to determine binding affinities to the active sites of enzyme. The laccase gene sequence of P. flavidoalba was obtained from the next-generation sequence data set obtained in our previous study and subjected to in silico homology modelling and molecular docking using various lignin model compounds reported to be present in rice husks. Firstly, to predict the 3D structure of the laccase of P. flavidoalba, homology modelling was performed using SWISS-MODEL. Laccase from Steccherinum murashkinskyi was selected as the template for homology modelling using SWISS-MODEL. CB-Dock server was used to perform molecular docking studies with a range of lignin model compounds, including sinapyl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, 𝜌- coumaryl alcohol, β-O-4′ aryl ether, β-5′ phenylcoumaran which are commonly found in rice husks. It was found that the above-mentioned lignin model compounds exhibited strong binding affinities such as -5.9 kcal/mol (sinapyl alcohol), -6.5 kcal/mol (coniferyl alcohol), -8.6 kcal/mol (𝜌- coumaryl alcohol), -7.5 kcal/mol (β-O-4′ aryl ether), and -7.5 kcal/mol (β-5′ phenylcoumaran) with the laccase protein of P. flavidoalba. The amino acid residues of modelled laccase in contact with the lignin model compounds forming hydrogen bonds were Gln457, Ile434, Phe432, Arg370, Lys452, Ile365. The insights gained from these docking studies can help uncover the molecular level interactions and the potential of utilizing such low-cost carbon sources for boosting laccase production.
 
 Keywords: Homology modelling, Laccase, Lignin model compounds, Molecular docking, Rice husk

Variation in the contribution of macroinvertebrates to wood decomposition as it progresses

AbstractAlthough necromass decay rates are limited by the slowest portions to decompose, most decomposition studies examine only the earliest stage of decay. As such, these studies run the risk of yielding misleading results regarding the relative contributions of different decomposers. For example, the contributions of macroinvertebrates to wood decomposition remain mostly unknown beyond the first 50% of mass lost, despite drastic changes in substrate conditions over time. We sought to clarify how the macroinvertebrate contribution to decay changes over the course of wood decomposition in the Southeastern United States—a region with a long history of wood decomposition research. To this end, we (1) compiled data from published studies comparing wood decay with and without macroinvertebrates; and (2) conducted a field study assessing wood mass loss, with and without macroinvertebrate access, at three sites across the region over four years. With these combined data, we analyzed macroinvertebrate contribution as decay progressed, revealing a quadratic relationship, wherein macroinvertebrate contribution increased early in decomposition and then began to decline as decay progressed. Strong local site effects, particularly the abundance and activity of termites, determine the time required for wood to reach this point of mass loss.

Genome-Wide Identification of the ABC Gene Family and Its Expression in Response to the Wood Degradation of Poplar in Trametes gibbosa.

Wood-rotting fungi's degradation of wood not only facilitates the eco-friendly treatment of organic materials, decreasing environmental pollution, but also supplies crucial components for producing biomass energy, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The ABC gene family, widely distributed in wood-rotting fungi, plays a crucial role in the metabolism of lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. Trametes gibbosa, as a representative species of wood-rotting fungi, exhibits robust capabilities in wood degradation. To investigate the function of the ABC gene family in wood degradation by T. gibbosa, we conducted a genome-wide analysis of T. gibbosa's ABC gene family. We identified a total of 12 Tg-ABCs classified into four subfamilies (ABCA, ABCB, ABCC, and ABCG). These subfamilies likely play significant roles in wood degradation. Scaffold localization and collinearity analysis results show that Tg-ABCs are dispersed on scaffolds and there is no duplication of gene sequences in the Tg-ABCs in the genome sequence of T. gibbosa. Phylogenetic and collinearity analyses of T. gibbosa along with four other wood-rotting fungi show that T. gibbosa shares a closer phylogenetic relationship with its same-genus fungus (Trametes versicolor), followed by Ganoderma leucocontextum, Laetiporus sulphureus, and Phlebia centrifuga in descending order of phylogenetic proximity. In addition, we conducted quantitative analyses of Tg-ABCs from T. gibbosa cultivated in both woody and non-woody environments for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 days using an RT-qPCR analysis. The results reveal a significant difference in the expression levels of Tg-ABCs between woody and non-woody environments, suggesting an active involvement of the ABC gene family in wood degradation. During the wood degradation period of T. gibbosa, spanning from 10 to 35 days, the relative expression levels of most Tg-ABCs exhibited a trend of increasing, decreasing, and then increasing again. Additionally, at 20 and 35 days of wood degradation by T. gibbosa, the relative expression levels of Tg-ABCs peak, suggesting that at these time points, Tg-ABCs exert the most significant impact on the degradation of poplar wood by T. gibbosa. This study systematically reveals the biological characteristics of the ABC gene family in T. gibbosa and their response to woody environments. It establishes the foundation for a more profound comprehension of the wood-degradation mechanism of the ABC gene family and provides strong support for the development of more efficient wood-degradation strategies.

Whole genome sequencing and annotation of Daedaleopsis sinensis, a wood-decaying fungus significantly degrading lignocellulose.

Daedaleopsis sinensis is a fungus that grows on wood and secretes a series of enzymes to degrade cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin and cause wood rot decay. Wood-decaying fungi have ecological, economic, edible, and medicinal functions. Furthermore, the use of microorganisms to biodegrade lignocellulose has high application value. Genome sequencing has allowed microorganisms to be analyzed from the aspects of genome characteristics, genome function annotation, metabolic pathways, and comparative genomics. Subsequently, the relevant information regarding lignocellulosic degradation has been mined by bioinformatics. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the genome of D. sinensis for the first time. A 51.67-Mb genome sequence was assembled to 24 contigs, which led to the prediction of 12,153 protein-coding genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database analysis of the D. sinensis data revealed that 3,831 genes are involved in almost 120 metabolic pathways. According to the Carbohydrate-Active Enzyme database, 481 enzymes are found in D. sinensis, of which glycoside hydrolases are the most abundant. The genome sequence of D. sinensis provides insights into its lignocellulosic degradation and subsequent applications.

Degradation of reburied archaeological wood piles after preservative treatment for twenty years

This study investigated the degradation mechanism and microbial communities of a reburied stone-fixed wooden pile (SP) after being excavated and treated with pentachlorophenol/polyethylene glycol (PCP/PEG) preservatives for a 20-year period at the Jin Zhongdu Watergate Heritage Cultural Site. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) techniques were combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum analysis, and quantitative chemical analyses. A foundation wooden pile (FP) forming the watergate supports, which has been in service for nearly 870 years at the site, was also examined. The results showed that preservatives still partially remained in the SP after burial. More abundant and richer microbial communities were found in the SP (including brown rot, soft rot, white rot fungi and bacteria) due to the hydrophilic PEG providing more favorable habitats for microbial. Therefore, it was indicated that the PCP had gradually lost its antibacterial function. Although brown rot fungi had not been detected using HTS, typical morphological characteristics were observed in the FP using SEM, thereby the characteristics of brown rot fungi were the results of previous decay. The absence of brown rot may have been attributed the competition among wood rot fungi.

Morphological and phylogenetic analyses reveal a new species of Anthracophyllum (Omphalotaceae, Agaricales) in Zhejiang Province, China.

During the investigations of macrofungi resources in Zhejiang Province, China, an interesting wood rot fungus was collected. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies, it is described as a new species, Anthracophyllum sinense. A. sinense is characterized by its sessile, charcoal black and pleurotoid pileus, sparse lamellae occasionally branching, clavate basidia with long sterigmata [(3-)6-7(-8) μm], and non-heteromorphous cystidia. A. sinense establishes a separate lineage close to A. archeri and A. lateritium in the phylogenetic tree.

The diversity of epixylic bryophytes in relation to dead wood properties and forest management in New Brunswick, Canada

Rotting wood is widely recognized as an important feature for bryophyte diversity in forest ecosystems but forest management practices, focused on high yields, have led to widespread reductions in the quantity and quality of coarse woody debris (CWD). As a result, many epixylic specialists are now uncommon or threatened throughout much of their former ranges. How much CWD is required to maintain desirable biodiversity, and which qualities of CWD do this most effectively is still to be answered. To address this, we analyzed two datasets from mid-rotation and mature plantations from the same landscape to better understand how the epixylic community varies with stand age, wetness, silvicultural treatment, and the abundance and type of CWD. Mature stands were either partially cut with a strip-cut treatment or were untreated. Mid-rotation plantations had a higher richness of non-Sphagnum mosses and liverworts than mature plantations. Both plantation types had a similar Simpson’s diversity indices, but these were lower than those of treated and untreated mature white cedar stands and untreated mature softwood stands. While composition of both plantation types was similar, only mature plantations differed significantly from other stand types. We speculate that this discrepancy between mid-rotation plantations and mature plantations was due to better soil drainage and a longer duration of intensive management in mature plantations, leading to reduced CWD abundance, and therefore to reduced bryophyte diversity. Our results revealed a clear positive relationship between total CWD surface area and liverwort richness and diversity in xeric sites while no relation was detected in mesic sites. More CWD is better in the case of xeric sites, where apparent asymptote of diversity is near the maximum total CWD detected in these stands. Because canopy composition and humidity also had a significant influence on bryophyte diversity and composition, further studies are needed to clearly identify thresholds of CWD surface area that take into account different stand types, soil moisture, fertility regimes, or with regards to the ecosystem in which the managed stands occurs.

Analysis of Occupational Safety of Boat Lift Net’s Fishermen at the Bungus Ocean Fishing Port (PPS) Bungus West Sumatra

Boat lift nets are one of the fishing gears in PPS Bungus, data from December 2021; 142 Bagan boat boats departed to carry out fishing operations with the number of fishermen boats 6 - 21 people and the weight of the ship 8-30 GT. In recent years, there have been several work accidents experienced by Bagan boat fishermen, such as falling while walking on the boat deck, fatigue, stepping on rotten wood, and broken hands. This study aims to determine the cases of work accidents that occurred in boat-bagan fishermen in the period January 2022 - January 2023, describe the activities carried out by boat-bagan fishermen, and determine the level of risk experienced by boat-bagan fishermen. This study uses a descriptive observational method with data analysis of probability concepts, JSA, and HIRA using the 2004 Australia and New Zealand standard risk control matrix. The results showed that the activities carried out in the operation preparation stage at PPS Bungus were mainly carried out by laborers (non-fishermen), work accidents in 7 operation activities were classified into five low-risk accidents and two moderate-risk and work accidents in the post-operation stage occurred 4 out of 7 activities which were classified into three common risk accidents and one medium risk.