Ultrastructural aspects of wood delignification by Phlebia (Merulius) tremellosus

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6882641

Blanchette, R A; Reid, I D

Wood from aspen and birch that had been decayed for 12 weeks by Phlebia tremellosus had averages of 30 and 31% weight loss, respectively, and 70% lignin loss. Digestibility increased from averages of 21 and 13% for sound aspen and birch to 54 and 51% for decayed aspen and birch. Individual wood sugar analyses of decayed birch blocks indicated an average loss of 10% glucose, 45% xylose, and 19% mannose. Micromorphological studies demonstrated the removal of middle lamellae and separation of cells. Vessels also separated at perforation plates. Electron microscopy with OsO4-glutaraldehyde-fixed and KMnO4 fixed wood showed that lignin was progressively removed first from the secondary cell wall layers, beginning at the lumen surface, and later from the compound middle lamella. Extensive degradation of lignin was found throughout the secondary wall and middle lamella region between cells. In cells with advanced decay, the middle lamella between cells was completely degraded, but cell corner regions remained. (Refs. 38).

• Research Organization: Univ. of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, Dept. of Plant Pathology; Plant Biotechnology Research Inst., National Research Council of Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada S7N OW9
• OSTI ID: 6882641
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 52:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
LIGNIN
BIODEGRADATION
WOOD
ASPENS
BIRCHES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DELIGNIFICATION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FUNGI
GLUCOSE
IN VITRO
XYLOSE
ALDEHYDES
CARBOHYDRATES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
HEXOSES
MICROSCOPY
MONOSACCHARIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PENTOSES
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
SACCHARIDES
TREES
140504* - Solar Energy Conversion- Biomass Production & Conversion- (-1989)