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Wood decay under anoxia by the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis pinicola

Summary

Researchers discovered that a common wood-decaying fungus called Fomitopsis pinicola can break down wood even when there is no oxygen present, which happens in the interior of fallen trees. Instead of using the chemical process it normally uses in oxygen-rich conditions, the fungus switches to releasing powerful digestive enzymes that break down plant fibers. This finding explains how wood continues to decompose deep inside tree trunks and could inspire new industrial processes for breaking down plant material without oxygen.

Background

Basidiomycete fungi are the primary decomposers of dead wood and play a crucial role in the global carbon cycle. While their degradative mechanisms under aerobic conditions are well-studied, their activity in oxygen-depleted environments remains poorly understood. This study investigates wood decay mechanisms in oxygen-limited conditions found naturally inside wood.

Objective

To determine whether brown-rot fungi can degrade wood in anoxic conditions and to identify the enzymatic mechanisms involved. The study combines field observations with controlled laboratory experiments to understand fungal adaptation to oxygen-depleted environments.

Results

Fomitopsis pinicola demonstrated comparable growth and wood decay in both anoxia and normoxia. Under anoxia, the fungus switched from Fenton chemistry-based decay to secretion of a complete set of plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs). 13C NMR revealed degradation of hemicelluloses (xylan and mannan) and incorporation of wood polysaccharides into fungal cell wall components.

Conclusion

Brown-rot fungi can thrive and effectively degrade wood in complete anoxia by switching from Fenton chemistry to enzymatic hydrolysis. This finding advances understanding of natural lignocellulose degradation and suggests applications for bio-inspired anaerobic decomposition processes.
  • Published in:Nature Communications,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41467-025-62567-3, PMID: 40783394
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