Description:
Abstract. Picea jezoensis wood block was degraded by a white-rot fungus (Porodaedalea pini) under laboratory
condition for different periods up to 120 days. Chemical composition changes of the wood caused by white-rot fungus
degradation were evaluated by Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additionally, discoloration of the wood
meal was analyzed using colorimeter by calculating CIELab values. The results showed that the constant value in the
relative changes of lignin and carbohydrates band ratio, indicating that P. pini degrades lignin and carbohydrates nonselectively,
with a slight preference for lignin. Fungus degradation of wood resulted in rapid color changes (L* value)
that correlate well with degradation of lignin. This study also showed that FTIR spectroscopy is a very simple and fast
method fore valuating wood degradation.