The antifungal activity of konjac (Amorphophallus rivieri) flying powder (a by-product produced during mechanical processing of konjac flour) ethanol extract was evaluated against wood decay fungi in culture. Compounds associated with antifungal activity in the extracts were isolated and purified by silica gel column chromatography. The antifungal active fractions were identified by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS). The ethanol extract showed good activity against the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, and the brown-rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum. The antifungal active fractions were mainly composed of organic acids and plant essential oils. Salicylic acid, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and vanillin were presented in the active fractions. The preliminary results indicate that konjac extracts have potential as natural wood protectants. Further tests in wood are planned.

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