Title
Influence of fungal decay on chemi-mechanical properties of beech wood (Fagus orientalis)
Authors
MEHDI MALAKANI HABIBOLLAH KHADEMIESLAM SEYYED KHALIL HOSSEINIHASHEMI and FARHAD ZEINALY

Received March 19, 2013
Published Volume 48 Issue 1-2 January-February
Keywords beech, rainbow white-rot fungus, heartwood, sapwood, lignin

Abstract
The mechanical and chemical properties of beech (Fagus orientalis) heartwood and sapwood after incubation with rainbow white-rot fungus (Coriolus versicolor) (for 14 weeks by the Kolle flask method) were determined. Also, the weight loss of the samples was measured after exposure to the white-rot fungus. The results indicated that the highest weight loss (36.08%) was observed for sapwood samples and the lowest (32.98%) occurred in heartwood samples. The highest and the lowest compression strength parallel to the grain were noted in heartwood and sapwood decayed samples, respectively. The highest and the lowest Brinell hardness perpendicular to tangential and radial surfaces were observed in heartwood and sapwood decayed samples, respectively. The chemical analysis showed that the major changes occurred in lignin content, i. e. 54.4% and 47.10% lignin reduction for sapwood and heartwood, respectively. Also, alcohol-benzene solubility decreased, while 1% sodium hydroxide solubility and hot water solubility increased in the decayed wood samples.