Kuster, T.A.

Vozzo, J.A.

White-rot fungi are unique in their ability to degrade lignin in wood. These fungi produce extracellular ligninolytic enzymes that can break down lignin but appear too large to penetrate the cell wall tissues. Current research suggests that manganese might facilitate the early stages of lignin biodegradation. A new transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique to observe manganese+2 (Mn(II)) in wood has been developed. This technique utilizes a chemical spot test specific for Mn(II). A reaction product between Mn(II) and silver makes a good electron-dense marker in the TEM. Control aspen chips treated with ammoniacal silver nitrate and prepared for TEM showed Mn(II) labeling scattered throughout the cell wall tissues. Occasionally, slightly more Mn(II) appeared in the middle lamella. In aspen chips decayed for 2 weeks with Phunerochuete chguoaporium, Mn(II) was found in greater concentrations in cells undergoing early stages of decay; Mn(II) was found associated with fungal hyphae and the hyphae sheath in the cell lumens. In aspen chips after 10 weeks of decay, Mn(II) labeling was less in areas of extensive decay and more in areas with less extensive decay

Distribution of manganese(II) in white-rot decayed aspen: a new transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique

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