Pitch and lignin degradation with white rot fungi
AssigneeClariant Finance (BVI) Limited
InventorsRobert A. Blanchette, Sara Iverson, Chad J. Behrendt
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Abstract
The present invention relates to the use of certain fungi in the reduction of the pitch and/or lignin content of cellulosic materials. In particular, the white rot fungi Schizophyllum commune, Trichaptum biforme and Phanerochaete gigantea are useful in reducing pitch and/or lignin, or both, which saves electrical energy during the mechanical refining of pulps and pulpwoods used in making cellulosic products.
Claims10
A method of reducing electrical energy consumption during the mechanical refining of logs into pulp comprising inoculating the ends of the log with a pitch reducing effective amount of at least one Basidiomycetes fungus selected from the group consisting of Schizophyllum commune, Tricaptum biforme and Phanerochaete gigantea, and allowing the fungus to grow on and into the log ends for a time sufficient to reduce pitch in the logs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.