Serpula lacrymans the dry rot fungus. Revue on previous papers

IRG/WP 1393

J Bech-Andersen

It is found that the Dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans grows in houses only because of its need for basic materials to neutralize the oxalic acid production or heavy metals which celate the oxalic acid. The average distance from the mycelium to the basic materials is found in average to be 14.2 cm with a variation from 0-100 cm. In contrast to Serpula lacrymans the Coniophora puteana and the Rigidophorus vitreus do not need calcium. The oxalic acid is found to hydrolyze the hemicelluloses and open for further break down of the celluloses. The excess oxalic acid is neutralized by calcium to the water insoluble calciurnoxalate which at last will be broken down by bacteria in the soil. The Dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) (Schum ex Fr.) S.F. Gray, is found in houses and mines only in contrast to other wood destroying fungi which both grow indoors and outdoors in the nature.


Keywords: BUILDING MATERIALS; CALCIUM; CALCIUM OXALATE; CONIOPHORA PUTEANA; DRY ROT; OXALIC ACID; RIGIDOPORUS VITREUS; SERPULA LACRYMANS

Conference: 89-05-22/26 Lappeenranta, Finland


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