New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

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B99011
Received 1 March 1999; accepted 6 July 2000

Biodegradation of subtropical forest woods from north-west Argentina by Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus

MARÍA MóNICA SALUSSO

Consejo de Investigación
Universidad Nacional de Salta
Buenos Aires 177-4400
Salta, Argentina

Abstract  Subtropical forest woods from north-west Argentina were used to evaluate the relationship between basic chemical composition and decay resistance. Wood samples from the autochthonous species Phyllostylon rhamnoides, Prosopis nigra, Cedrela fissilis, and Myroxylon peruiferum were analysed using standardised techniques. M. peruiferum contained the most acid-soluble lignin (3.15% +/- 0.39) and least Klason lignin (23.52% +/- 1.42); the extractive content was significantly lower in Phyllostylon rhamnoides (4.19% +/- 1.70) and in C. fissilis (6.25% +/- 1.50) (P = 0.01). M. peruiferum and Prosopis nigra contained greater tannin (6.16% and 4.25%, respectively). Decay tests on wood blocks inoculated with Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus showed the greatest weight losses for Phyllostylon rhamnoides and C. fissilis. The extent of weight loss was inversely related to extractive content of woods, suggesting that phenolic components can inhibit fungal degradation.

Keywords  Pleurotus laciniatocrenatus; subtropical forest woods; biodegradation

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