Exploring the hypothesis that limiting diffusion of fungal oxidants underlies decay resistance in acetylated wood

Christopher G. Hunt; Steven Lacher; Kolby Hirth; Linda F. Lorenz; Kenneth E. Hammel

Treesearch

Exploring the hypothesis that limiting diffusion of fungal oxidants underlies decay resistance in acetylated wood

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Christopher G. Hunt, Steven Lacher, Kolby Hirth, Linda F. Lorenz, Kenneth E. Hammel

Year:

2017

Type:

Paper

Station:

Forest Products Laboratory

Source:

In: Proceedings, COST action FP1407 - 3rd conference, Wood modification research and applications. Kuchl, Austria: Salzburg University of Applied Sciences: 37-39.

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Abstract

The mechanisms by which chemical modifications, specifically acetylation, improve the decay resistance of wood are a topic of active research. In the early stages of decay, fungi secrete lowmolecular- weight oxidants or oxidant precursors. These oxidants diffuse through the wet wood cell wall and oxidize cell wall polymers, which enable the decay process to proceed. One hypothesis states that acetylation stops decay by dramatically inhibiting the diffusion of these oxidants through the cell wall (Zeiinka et. al. 2016). Data showing a drastic difference in Fe uptake from solution between control and acetylated wood appear to support this (Hoseinipour and Mai 2016).

Keywords

Decay resistance, diffusion, free volume, acetylated wood

Citation

Hunt, Christopher G.; Lacher, Steven; Hirth, Kolby; Lorenz, Linda; Hammel, Kenneth E. 2017. Exploring the hypothesis that limiting diffusion of fungal oxidants underlies decay resistance in acetylated wood. In: Proceedings, COST action FP1407 - 3rd conference, Wood modification research and applications. Kuchl, Austria: Salzburg University of Applied Sciences: 37-39.