It is interesting to follow the gradual changes in unmodified and modified wood as it is attacked by decay fungi, so that it is possible to more fully understand how the degradation takes place and also get ideas for how to prevent decay. We are therefore developing an experimental platform in which we can continuously follow decay processes, and take out samples for analysis by different methods, e.g., optical microscopy, SEM, Raman spectroscopy and ergosterol analysis. The core method is isothermal calorimetry, that measures the heat production rate from processes. If the process is fungal degradation of wood, the heat production rate is closely related to the fungal respiration rate, i.e., the consumption of oxygen, and a true measure of the decay activity of the fungi. We have developed a calorimetric method to continuously follow the colonization and degradation of small samples of wood during long periods of time, typically our experiments last 45 days. The calorimetric method is interesting (its shows the kinetics of the decay process, different stages of decay and oscillating metabolism), but it is also the controlled way that we expose our samples, and the calorimetric result enables us to extract samples for other measurements at relevant points in the decay process.
Keywords: decay fungi, fungal decay, wood degradation, calorimetric method
Authors
Lars Wadsö
Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Sanne Johansson
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