Detection of iron-chelating and iron-reducing compounds in four brown rot fungi

Abstract The presence of iron-chelating and iron-reducing compounds has been evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively in the four brown rot fungi Meruliporia incrassata (M. incrassata), Gloeophyllum trabeum (G. trabeum), Coniophora puteana (C. puteana) and Serpula lacrymans (S. lacrymans). Samples of actively growing mycelium from liquid growth media, decayed wood, and agar plate cultures were in focus. Iron-chelating compounds were found in all four species, with the highest reactivity in G. trabeum and S. lacrymans, and the lowest in M. incrassata. Iron-reducing activity, measured in the liquid medium, was found in all four fungi. However, in wood extractions, S. lacrymans was not effective in this regard, although the agar grown mycelium of this fungus showed the highest iron-reducing capacity of the four. The presence of both catecholate and hydroxamate chelators was detected in all four species. G. trabeum showed the highest concentration overall of extracellular chelators, including both catecholate and hydroxamate derivatives.</jats:p