The biological behaviours of pine wood modified with linear chain carboxylic acid anhydrides against soft rot fungi

The work described in this paper has demonstrated that chemically modified Corsican pine sapwood with a homologous series of linear chain carboxylic acid anhydrides afforded bioprotection against soft rot decay. By varying the reaction time, various levels of modifications were obtained. The results indicated that the breakdown caused by fungi is reduced by chemical modification at these levels of modification. There was no significant reduction in feeding above 20% WPG (weight percent gain due to modification) suggesting that modification to WPGs greater this certain level did not cause additional protection. The type of anhydride employed had little influence on breakdown behaviour. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.