Fungal degradation of wood components
A survey is given of the microorganisms involved in the degradation of dead plant material. The white-rot fungi, which can degrade all the major wood components, have been discussed in detail and their way of attacking wood has been studied by scanning electron microscopy as well as by transmi ssion electron microscopy. A review of the present knowledge of enzyme mechanisms involved in fungal degradation of cel lulose, hemicelluloses and 1 ignin is given. To develop biotechnical processes based on lignocellulosic materials the need for a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is stressed.