Fenton's reagent as a modification tool in brown-rot decay
IRG/WP 96-10155
M Rättö, A-C Ritschkoff, J Buchert, L Viikari
A biomimetic approach was used to clarify the role and importance of the Fenton-type reaction in the carbohydrate degradation by brown-rot fungi. Spruce sawdust and microcrystalline cellulose were modified in the H2O2/Fe(II) treatment. The degree of hydrolysis of the pretreated spruce sawdust was clearly increased with the complete cellulase (Econase), purified endoglucanase from Trichoderma reesei and endoglucanase of Poria placenta. The oxidative pretreatment of microcrystalline cellulose decreased the hydrolyzability of pure cellulose with the complete cellulase, but the hydrolyzability with both purified endoglucanase of Trichoderma reesei and endoglucanase from Poria placenta was increased. Thus, after oxidative treatment with Fenton's reagent the hydrolysis of both pure cellulose and wood was substantially increased.
Keywords: BROWN ROT; MECHANISMS OF DECAY; FENTON'S REAGENT; ENZYMES; PORIA PLACENTA; TRICHODERMA REESEI; ENDOGLUCANASE; PICEA; SAWDUST