Fungal bio-treatment of spruce wood with Trametes versicolor for pitch control: influence on extractive contents, pulping process parameters, paper quality and effluent toxicity.
Lipophilic low molar-mass constituents in wood chips for the paper industry result in low quality pulp, pitch deposition, and effluent toxicity. New biotechnological solutions such as fungal pre-treatment of wood chips can reduce pitch problems. This laboratory-scale study focuses on the potential and limitations of a fungal bio-treatment of Norway spruce chips with the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Different fungal treatment conditions were compared. A 4-week fungal treatment reduced the concentration of resin acids and triglycerides by 40% and 100%, respectively, but neither lowered the energy requirements of the TMP process nor significantly affected the morphological fiber characteristics and the physical pulp properties. The pre-treatment led to slightly poorer optical properties. The Trametes versicolor fungal treatment contributed to a less toxic effluent and improved the biodegradability. A treatment of 2-3 weeks appears optimal.
van Beek
Teris A
TA
Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Natural Products Chemistry Group, Wageningen University, Dreijenplein 8, 6703 HB Wageningen, The Netherlands. teris.vanbeek@wur.nl
Kuster
Bram
B
Claassen
Frank W
FW
Tienvieri
Taisto
T
Bertaud
Frédérique
F
Lenon
Gilles
G
Petit-Conil
Michel
M
Sierra-Alvarez
Reyes
R
D001487:Basidiomycota / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000032:analysis*; D010209:Paper / Q000592:standards*; D028222:Picea; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D014934:Wood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
D007220:Industrial Waste; D012116:Resins, Plant; C013893:rosin