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Inducing and Stimulating Spalting in Sugar Maple
2008 - IRG/WP 08-10652
Spalted wood has gained popularity in recent years as consumer preference has shifted towards unique and custom products. The process by which spalting is induced in clear lumber has evolved over time, and now involves much more than beer drinking and outdoor burial. Our work on the process of reliably producing spalted wood began in 2004 and involved testing a wide variety of white rot fungi on...
S C Robinson, D L Richter, P E Laks


The influence of moisture content and wood pH variation on fungal melanin formation in wood substrates
2011 - IRG/WP 11-10759
Wood decay patterns are strongly influenced by the conditions of the wood substrate, including moisture content and pH. In an antagonistic environment some fungi respond with pigment formation that helps to isolate and protect their mycelium. This is often associated with slower fungal growth and delay of wood mass loss. Dark colored melanin is the most common pigment formed by wood decay fungi, a...
D Tudor, S C Robinson, P A Cooper


Initial investigations into the spalting potential of Peruvian hardwoods
2014 - IRG/WP 14-10813
This study was performed to determine if several moderately-utilized Peruvian hardwoods had potential for spalting applications. We applied a modified decay jar methodology with six native Peruvian woods and three moulds, with a period of incubation of six weeks. Results showed that Nigrospora sphaerica and Marupa (Simarouba amara) resulted on the highest significant internal pigmentation (black),...
S M Vega Gutiérrez, S C Robinson


Resistance of fungal derived pigments to ultraviolet light exposure
2014 - IRG/WP 14-30642
The potential for using fungal derived pigments as surface treatments for limiting photodegradation of wood was investigated. Extracts from Chlorociboria aeruginosa and Scytalidium cuboideum were compared with a traditional aniline dye and chromic acid treatment. Hybrid poplar sapwood samples treated with these solutions were exposed to 86.4 kj/m2 of UV radiation and assessed for lignin degradatio...
H G Beck, S Freitas, G Weber, S C Robinson, J J Morrell


Pigment production by the spalting fungus Scytalidium ganodermophthorum and its industry potential
2020 - IRG/WP 20-10957
Scytalidium ganodermophthorum is best known as a pathogen of cultivated mushrooms, with infected cultures turning yellow in color. The fungus is also used in the art form known as ‘spalting’ to produce yellow, green, and purple colors in wood for decorative purposes. Wood colored by fungus in this manner has been traditionally used in the creation of fine art and woodworking since the 16th cen...
R C Van Court, P Vega Gutierrez, S C Robinson