Method to test fungal degradation of bamboo and wood using vermiculite as reservoir for moisture and nutrients

Abstract

Proposed is a method to investigate degradation of lignocelluloses by pure cultures of basidiomycetes using preserving jars with vermiculite as reservoir for water and nutrients. Bamboo samples of Gigantochloa atroviolacea and Phyllostachys pubescens and wood samples of Fagus sylvatica and Pinus sylvestris were inoculated with the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana and the white-rot fungus Schizophyllum commune. The fungi were cultured on vermiculite containing different amounts of tap water or malt extract solution. Mass loss of the bamboos after 32 weeks was low and did not show a remarkable influence of moisture content and nutrient addition. However, considerable degradation of Pinus sylvestris sapwood occurred by C. puteana whereby moisture and nutrients influenced aggressiveness.

Surface Functionalization of Bamboo with Silver-Reduced Graphene Oxide Nanosheets to Improve Hydrophobicity and Mold Resistance

“…The antifungal efficiency of the produced nanocomposite was assessed through the inhibition of mycelium growth assay by directly infusing Cur-AgrGONSs in potato dextrose agar medium [53]. Penicillium funiculosum and Trichoderma afroharzianum were grown in a PDA medium for 5 d at 28 • C. After 5 d of incubation, the spores obtained were collected and maintained under lights for 5 d with moderate shaking to obtain the suspension of microconidia.…”

An in vitro Assessment on Fusarium Decomposition in Tea

“…The method described by Wei et al, (2013) was followed to determine the fungal decomposition. For this, the collected tea twigs were properly washed and chopped into pieces of approximately 1.0 cm in size and soaked in 4% sugar solution for 3 hrs.…”

Feasibility of Coloring Bamboo with the Application of Natural and Extracted Fungal Pigments

“…Before the beginning of the tests, a curcuma test was done to the bamboo samples to ensure there were no boron treatments (bamboo shipped into the United States is often subject to boron treatments to limit pest distribution) on the samples that could affect the development of the fungi [29]. No boron was found.…”

“…Mason jars (250 mL) were filled with 15 g of medium-grade vermiculite with 50 mL of distilled water [29,33,34]. Three blocks were placed in each jar.…”