Biochemistry of the wood-rotting fungi

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Abstract
From a comparison of various wood-destroying fungi grown on aqueous malt extract and on wood C. cerebella was selected as the best acid-producer. The acidic products formed by growth of C. cerebella on Scots pine sapwood were therefore investigated after incubation periods of 2. 4 and 6 months. The acids identified were formic, acetic, traces of oxalic acid and large amts. of citric acid. The last named acid was isolated as the methyl ester, and was obtained in amts. equivalent to 1/3 of the total titratable acidity after 4 and 6 mos,'' growth. Other acids of higher mol. wt. were also present. Qualitative tests indicated the presence of hexu-ronic acids in this fraction. Sound wood contained volatile acids including formic acid in amts. comparable with those isolated from decayed wood. The volatile acids are not therefore to be regarded as metabolic products of the fungus. Citric acid is considered to be a true metabolic product of the growth of C. cerebella on wood.

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