Wood Coloration and Decay Capabilities of Mycoparasite Scytalidium ganodermophthorum

Author: mycolabadmin
2023-07-11
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Summary

This research investigated a fungus called Scytalidium ganodermophthorum that produces yellow pigments and can decay wood. The study found that while the fungus can break down wood structures, it does so weakly and produces varying amounts of pigment depending on conditions. This has important implications for using the fungus in sustainable product development. Impacts on everyday life: • Provides new possibilities for natural wood staining and coloring products • Contributes to development of sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes and pigments • Helps understand how to better protect wood products from fungal decay • Offers potential applications in eco-friendly textile dyeing and paint production • Could lead to new natural preservatives for wood products

Background

Scytalidium ganodermophthorum is a destructive fungal pathogen found on commercial Ganoderma lucidum mushrooms that produces a yellow pigment. This pigment has been studied for sustainable product development including wood colorization, textile dying, paints, and organic electronics. The yellow pigment is likely involved in the pathogenicity of the fungus, showing anti-fungal activity against host species. While related fungi are capable of soft rot decay of wood, the decay capabilities of S. ganodermophthorum have not been previously assessed or related to pigment production.

Objective

To assess the wood decay capabilities of S. ganodermophthorum and examine the relationship between pigment production and wood degradation across different wood species and nutrient conditions. The study aimed to understand the balance between enzymatic production for decay and production of potentially bioactive pigments to aid in further work using S. ganodermophthorum as a sustainable colorant.

Results

The fungus showed highly variable production of both bright yellow pigment and a secondary darker pigment across different wood species and nutrient conditions. Microscopic examination revealed cell wall erosion typical of type-2 soft rot in wood. While no detectable levels of endocellulase were found, chitinase was detected in plate cultures but not wood cultures. Mass loss in wood blocks was minimal, averaging around 2%. Color analysis showed significant darkening of wood blocks but inconsistent changes in yellow/blue and red/green color components.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated that S. ganodermophthorum can produce type-2 soft rot in wood, though with weak degradation capabilities. The high variability in pigmentation suggests that liquid culture methods may be superior for consistent pigment production. The fungus shows adaptation to multiple ecological roles, with enzyme production varying based on growth conditions. While the fungus shows potential for wood treatment applications, its variable pigment production indicates that extracted pigment application may be more effective than direct fungal growth for wood coloration.

Published in:Journal of Fungi,
Study Type:Laboratory Research,
Source: 10.3390/jof9070738