Biomimetic studies of wood decay: Simulating the effect of low molecular weight compounds and fungal enzymes

The effect of FeCl3 (Fe3+), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a low molecular weight compound (2,3-

Dihydroxybenzoic acid), and oxalic acid on wood were tested in a study designed to mimic wood degradation

by brown rot fungi. Previous studies suggest that these components are involved in the early stages of brown

rot decay where they catalyze the formation of hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction or related

mechanisms. However, the separate and combined effects of these individual chemical components on wood

have not been thoroughly investigated.

Tests were conducted in Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 ml of 40 mM acetate buffer (pH 4.5), white pine

wood powder and varying combinations of the chemicals previously mentioned. Changes in cellulose

crystallinity were analyzed by X-ray diffraction using a ¿-2¿ scan. Findings suggest that iron, H2O2, chelators

and oxalic acid may affect over all crystallinity and crystallite size. Understanding how these chemicals modify

wood will facilitate characterization of the mechanisms involved in wood biodegradation by brown rot fungi.