Chemistry of Lignin Degradation by Wood-Destroying Fungi

Abstract

The role of the wood pathologist differs from that of other plant pathologists in that its concern lies in the study of the effects of microorganisms on the dead tissues of woody plants--tissues in which lignin is a major component. The main goal of wood pathologists, of course, is to thwart biodeterioration. Recently, however, at the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, at the Swedish Forest Products Laboratory, and at several industrial laboratories, a second goal has emerged--to use wood-attacking microorganisms beneficially, i.e. for the bioconversion of wood.