Biochemical Approaches to Wood Preservation

Much progress has been made in the past several years concerning the biochemistry and molecular genetics of fungal wood decay. Aspects of this knowledge were obtained with the intent of using the fungi and their enzymes for selective and beneficial purposes; e.g., in biopulping and biobleaching of wood fiber, in bioremediation of pollutants, and in biomass conversions for fuel and chemical feedstocks. Accordingly, enzymes for lignin, cellulose and xylan degradation have been identified, Although there are obvious gaps in our knowledge of the decay process, details of discrete steps should provide opportunities to develop new wood preservatives that selectively disrupt the metabolic pathways of wood decay. The biochemistry of lignin biodegradation by Phancrochaete chrysosporium is summarized with specific examples of enzyme inhibitors and discussion of potential metabolic markers that may be useful in developing wood preservatives.