Micromorphological characteristics of decayed wood and laccase produced by the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana

Microscopic examination showed the cell wall decay pattern produced by the brown-rot fungus Coniophora puteana to be different from the degradation pattern known to be typical for brown-rot fungi. Erosion and thinning of cell walls in patterns considered to be characteristic of white-rot decay were observed. In particular, the fungal strain COP 20242 degraded secondary cell wall layers extensively, and also degraded lignin-rich middle lamellae. Some strains of C. puteana produced soft-rot type cavities in the S2 layer. All strains of C. puteana employed in the present work showed a positive reaction to tannic acid in the Bavendamm test, indicating the production of laccase. Microscopic and enzymatic studies provided evidence to suggest that the wood decay by C. puteana is unique both in terms of micromorphological and enzymatic patterns of cell wall degradation. This is because brown-rot fungi are not generally known to form cavities in the cell walls or to produce lignin-degrading enzymes. These observations suggest that lignin degradation capacity of brown-rot fungi may be greater than previously considered.