Multidisciplinary Approach to the Development of New Wood Preservatives

A multidisciplinary team of scientists has been assembled to provide a comprehensive approach to the development of new wood preservatives. The overall program includes both basic and applied research studies. The principle areas being studied are: mechanism of brown rot decay and methods of inhibition, fungal enzyme systems and methods of inhibition, synthesis of potential organic preservative chemicals, biological control of decay, biological control of termites, selection and screening of commercial biocides as potential wood preservatives, and chemical modification of wood. Previous work by others indicates that the H202-Fe system may be involved in degradation of wood by brown rot fungi. Our preliminary studies suggest that oxalic acid may participate in this reaction and accelerate the degradation of cellulose. To date, the extracellular enzyme systems of wood-decay fungi have not been fully characterized. Hence, we have designed experiments to work in this area. The main emphasis is being placed on development of methods for evaluating enzyme inhibitors. Currently our chemical synthesis studies are being focused on pterocarpans, organo-metallic complexes, and alkylammonium compounds. Screening tests to determine the possibility of using antagonistic bacteria and fungi to control termites and wood-decay fungi are being carried out. In addition, the use of sonics as a possible means of controlling termites is being explored. Approximately 80 different commercial biocides or combinations are being screened as potential wood preservatives. Of all those tested, the alkylammonium compounds appear to be the best candidates. The possibility of using dimethylol compounds as cross-linking agents for wood is being studied. It has been found that some will readily cross link with wood and these are being further evaluated to determine their potential as stabilizers and wood preservatives.

You must be logged in to download any documents. Please login (login accounts are free) or learn how to Become a Member