Physiological Characteristics of A Non-Degradative Isolate of Postia (≡ Poria) Placenta

ABSTRACT

Decay capacity of 14 strains of the brown-rot fungus Postia (≡Poria) placenta was determined using soil-wood block tests. One monokaryotic isolate, ME20, was identified as being unable to degrade wood. It retained the ability to produce extracellular carbohydrate-degrading enzymes, although levels of glycosidases and carboxymethylcellulase were atypical under certain cultural conditions. The electrophoretic protein profile of this isolate varied from degradative strains. It produced H₂O₂ and oxalic acid under a variety of carbon and nitrogen regimes and did not contain double-stranded RNA. An understanding of the physiology of this isolate would further our knowledge of decay mechanisms leading to safer preservation protocols.

Key Words:

• wood decay
• brown rot
• biodeterioration
• Postia