Fungal resistance and leachability of genipin-crosslinked chitosan treated wood

Chitosan (C) is a natural antimicrobial compound that has been widely explored for wood protection, but its application limited by high leachability. Genipin biobased crosslinking agent can crosslink with chitosan under mild conditions. This study aims at examining the decay resistance and leachability of genipin-crosslinked (GC) treated against common wood-decaying fungi. GC formation was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy Thermogravimetric analysis. The antifungal efficacy two brown-rot fungi, Gloeophyllum trabeum ( G.t. ) Rhodonia placenta (R.p.) white-rot Trametes versicolor (T.v.) Irpex lacteus (I.l.) first determined malt-gar as substrate, which revealed exhibited similar C treatments in inhibiting growth all fungi studied. Micrographs light fluorescence microscopy showed changes morphology nuclei deformation due to effect GC. GC-treated samples show an increased retention mass gain function treating concentrations, were 21 kg/m 2 3.6%, respectively. However, upon leaching test, 3% softwood hardwood reduced 1.6% 0.9%, respectively, indicating cross-linking genipin did not reduce rate chitosan. In terms durability testing, significantly lower loss ranging from 11 15% than those control groups ≥30% regardless test. • improved thermal stability. crosslinked properties decaying treatment caused morphological tested