Gelatin Encapsulation of Methylisothiocyanate for Control of Wood Decay Fungi

Encapsulation of the fumigant methylisothiocyanate (MIT) in gelatin was studied as an alternative to liquid fumigant treatments for control of decay fungi in wooden utility poles. Gelatin-encapsulated MIT was stored for over 1 year under dry conditions without significant fumigant leakage, but was readily released when small quantities of water were added to treatment holes in wood along with the capsules. MIT treatments produced higher fungi toxic vapor concentrations in poles than Vapam treatment, which was partially the result of incomplete Vapam conversion to MIT in wood. Decay fungi were effectively controlled in Douglas-fir poles 33 months after treatment with encapsulated MIT, and high concentrations of fumigant vapors detected in the poles should provide residual fungitoxicity and delay recolonization by decay fungi.

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