Pigment production by the spalting fungus Scytalidium ganodermophthorum and its industry potential

IRG/WP 20-10957

R C Van Court, P Vega Gutierrez, S C Robinson

Scytalidium ganodermophthorum is best known as a pathogen of cultivated mushrooms, with infected cultures turning yellow in color. The fungus is also used in the art form known as ‘spalting’ to produce yellow, green, and purple colors in wood for decorative purposes. Wood colored by fungus in this manner has been traditionally used in the creation of fine art and woodworking since the 16th century in Europe. However, most fungal species known to spalt wood only produce a single color of pigment, making S. ganodermophthorum unique. Other pigments isolated from fungi in the family Helotiales have shown unique physical characteristics including UV-stability, bioactivity, and semiconduction. This has stimulated research into their use across a range of fields including organic photovoltaics and environmentally friendly dyes. In order to identify the pigments produced by S. ganodermophthorum and allow for research into their physical properties, the growth conditions needed to stimulate production of different pigments by the fungus must be identified. This study characterizes the differential coloration of S. ganodermophthorum cultures, including variation over time and across a range of pHs. Pigment production was found to change with colony age, with initial yellow extractions transitioning through a series of green colors to a purple/red color with time. In addition, growth across multiple pHs was tested for potential changes in pigmentation, and pigment response to pH change was tested to identify if changes in color were due to only one or multiple pigments. Growth was found to vary across pH range, and the presence of multiple pigments was indicated. With the innovative potential of pigments from other spalting fungi established, identification of new fungal pigments from S. ganodermophthorum could lead to development of new forest-based green technologies including textile coloration, optoelectronics, and wood protection


Keywords: spalting, Scytalidium ganodermophthorum, fungal pigment, fungal colorant, decay fungi, wood art, optoelectronics, pH, soft rot

Conference: 20-06-10/11 IRG51 Webinar


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