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Industrial Applications pp 327–341Cite as

Biodegradation by Brown Rot Fungi

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Part of the book series: The Mycota ((MYCOTA,volume 10))

Abstract

The decay of lignocellulose is one of the most important processes for all life on earth. Carbon fixed by green plants is recycled back into the atmosphere principally by fungi through the process of lignocellulose decay, estimated at 85 billion tons of carbon per year (Cowling 1963). Wood lignocellulose accounts for most of the biomass on earth, being made up of the two most abundant biopolymers, cellulose, and lignin. Wood decay fungi have long been of interest due to the tremendous amount of wood and wood products damaged due to their actions. These fungi have been intensively studied in order to develop ways to control their wood degradative abilities and, more recently, to understand how to apply these same decay abilities for the biodegradation or bioremediation of xenobiotic compounds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, Michigan, 49931-1552, USA

    S. T. Bagley

  2. School of Forestry and Wood Products, Michigan Technological University, 1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, Michigan, 49931-1552, USA

    D. L. Richter

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  1. S. T. Bagley
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Botanisches Institut, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, 60439, Frankfurt, Germany

    Heinz D. Osiewacz

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© 2002 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Bagley, S.T., Richter, D.L. (2002). Biodegradation by Brown Rot Fungi. In: Osiewacz, H.D. (eds) Industrial Applications. The Mycota, vol 10. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-10378-4_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-10378-4_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-07481-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-10378-4

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