Wood discoloration by sapstaining fungi reduces lumber value. In Canada, the most commonly recorded sapstaining fungi belong to the genera Ophiostoma. This work evaluated the effect that Ophiostoma piceae, Ophiostoma ainoae, and Ophiostoma piliferum used the lipids present in the sapwood of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). Wood lipids, commonly known as extractives, consist mainly of triglycerides, fatty acids, resin acids, sterols, steryl esters and waxes. The sapwood of lodgepole pine and trembling aspen was rich in triglycerides. All the sapstaining fungi tested were able to degrade the triglycerides in both of the wood species very effectively. The fatty acids, steryl esters and waxes were used slowly, especially in lodgepole pine. The fungi could also decrease the level of resin acids in lodgepole pine.

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