Standardized tests for wood preservatives are performed with defined fungal strains to ensure comparability between laboratories. However, changes of virulence and variation of results are well known events. Suitable and reliable measures to control the stability of the test organisms are necessary.Comparison of protein patterns produced by SDS-electrophoresis was already described by several authors as a possible way to identify and to characterize fungal species and strains, i.e. for Serpula, Coniophora and Poria. We compared protein patterns of several strains of Antrodia vaillantii, Poria placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Lentinus lepideus, and Coniophora puteana. Isoelectric focussing and detection of esterase isoenzymes proved to be an alternative method. The investigations resulted in species-specific protein and enzyme patterns. By comparing the strains of single species it was possible to form groups with similar patterns. Possible misidentifications could be detected. The described methods will be further developed and used to follow possible changes in our test strains.

Download document (761 kb)
free for the members of IRG. Available if purchased.

Purchase this document