In timber infested by brown rot fungi, a rapid loss in strength is attributed to production of hydroxyl radicals (HO·) at a distance from the hyphae. The immediate precursor is Fenton's reagent (Fe(II)/H2O2), but the pathways leading to Fe(II) and H2O2 have remained unclear. Cellobiose dehydrogenase, purified from cultures of Coniophora puteana, will couple oxidation of cellodextrins to reduction of Fe(III). Two characteristics of brown rot are release of oxalic acid and lowering of the local pH, often to about pH 2. Modelling of Fe(II) speciation in the presence of oxalate has revealed that Fe(II) oxalate complexes are important at pH 4-5, but at pH 2 almost all Fe(II) is uncomplexed. The uncomplexed Fe(II) reacts very slowly with dioxygen. Diffusion of Fe(II) away from the hyphae will promote conversion to Fe(II)-oxalate and autoxidation with H2O2 as product. Thus the critical Fe(II)/H2O2 combination is formed at a distance.

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