In previous studies, the white-rot fungus Bjerkandera sp. strain BOS55 was shown to cause extensive degradation of lipophilic extractives (resin) in Scots pine wood. Further research was carried out in order to investigate the ability of Bjerkandera sp. for reducing resinous constituents in various softwood (Douglas fir, larch and spruce) and hardwood species (birch, beech and poplar). The greatest resin reduction occurred in beech (79% in two weeks). High levels of resin elimination were also observed in softwood species like spruce (36%) or Scots pine (35%), as well as in hardwood species like poplar (32%) or birch (24%). In contrast, Bjerkandera sp. only caused a negligible loss of resin components in Douglas fir wood chips. HPLC analysis of acetone extracts from control and fungal-treated samples showed a rapid elimination of triglycerides, diglycerides, free fatty acids and sterols. Toxic constituents in softwood species like resin acids were partially removed in Scots pine, spruce and larch (29-34% in two weeks).

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