Caffeine is a verified bioactive substance suitable for wood protection against pests. Unlike studies of the biocidal effects of caffeine, caffeine-wood bonds and interactions with wood polymer structures have not been studied whatsoever thus far. For this reason, caffeine (1 g/L) interactions with the main wood components (cellulose; hemicellulose; lignin and its precursors conipheryl alcohol, sinapyl alcohol, coumaryl alcohol) were analyzed in the present study. Caffeine concentrations were analyzed using UV–VIS spectrometry at wavelength 287 nm. The results confirmed caffeine variable binding with wood components in comparison to controls (pure caffeine). Cellulose and sinapyl alcohol did not interact with caffeine. Caffeine was bonded with the rest of the wood components in an increasing rank: conipheryl alcohol = lignin < hemicellulose < coumaryl alcohol. These results have a significant role in the protection of wood depending on its chemical composition and the wood species.
Wood materials for construction purposes can be attacked by various wood-destroying fungi. An ideal wood-preserving substance is supposed to be environment- and health-friendly. For this reason, the effects of the most relevant and non-toxic methylxanthines, such as caffeine and its metabolites theobromine and theophylline, on fungal growth, together with their degradability related to their properties were analyzed in this study. Agar tests with four wood-destroying fungal species (Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana, Gleophyllum sepiarium, and Trametes versicolor) were performed after 28 days of substance exposure. Caffeine exhibited a 100% inhibitive effect on fungal growth, contrary to theobromine, which was not effective in that respect. Theophylline exhibited variable effects on the analyzed fungi. The analysis of degradability indicated the persistence of caffeine and theobromine, but theophylline was degraded up to 34%. The relation of toxicity to chemical structure of studied methylxanthines indicated the dipole moment and lipophilicity as important parameters affecting the antifungal properties. Both caffeine and theophylline are suitable potential candidates for antifungal active substances.
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