Microbial tolerance and biodetoxification of organic and organometallic biocides
IRG/WP 1464
P A Briscoe, G R Williams, D G Anderson, G M Gadd
Ten organic and organometallic biocides were assessed for toxicity towards a range of wood decay and spoilage fungi. Minimum inhibitory concentrations indicated selective toxicity of biocides towards particular fungal types. Certain species of fungi demonstrated tolerance to a range of biocides. Further tests using the biocides in soil and wood enrichment cultures resulted in isolation of highly tolerant bacterial populations. Subsequent tests using these isolates and pure fungal cultures have demonstrated detoxification of a number of the biocides tested. The implications of these observations are discussed in relation to the use of biodegradable organic biocides as wood preservatives.