Natural Durability of Citharexylum spinosum and Morus alba Woods Against Three Mold Fungi

Abstract

The natural durability of wood to mold fungi was tested under laboratory conditions with locally sourced Citharexylum spinosum and Morus alba woods. The mold fungi were Penicillium selerotigenum, Paecilomyces variotii, and Aspergillus niger. Changes in surface elemental composition were evaluated with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the biodeterioration of wood surfaces by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The C peak element of C. spinosum wood was affected significantly (P = 0.0004) and decreased from 49.91% in the control specimens to 47%, 40.1%, and 40% with P. selerotigenum, A. niger, and P. variotii, respectively. Also, the C peak element of M. alba heartwood significantly decreased (P < 0.0001) from 51.33% in the control specimens to 41.49%, 45.66%, and 43.66% in wood inoculated with A. niger, P. variotii, and P. selerotigenum, respectively. The elements Al and Cu were observed in high percentages with M. alba heartwood inoculated by P. variotii. The methanol extract from M. alba heartwood showed good inhibition against the growth of A. niger at a concentration of 32 μg/mL, and the methanol extract from C. spinosum wood showed remarkable inhibition against the growth of P. variotii at a concentration of 8 μg/mL. The results of this study clearly showed the changes that occur in wood samples as a result of fungal infestation.

Bioactivity of Selected Phenolic Acids and Hexane Extracts from Bougainvilla spectabilis and Citharexylum spinosum on the Growth of Pectobacterium carotovorum and Dickeya solani Bacteria: An Opportunity to Save the Environment

“…Flower essential oil and extracts exhibited antibacterial and antioxidant activities [33,73,74]. At 8 µg/mL of concentrated methanol extract of C. spinosum wood, there was a potent inhibition against the growth of P. variotii seen [75]. The B. spectabilis extract was more effective than C. spinosum extract, and this may be because it contains aldehydes and huge amounts of volatile compounds, such as nonanal, which was found in the phytochemical analysis at a percentage of 38.28%.…”

Phytochemical Compounds of Branches from P. halepensis Oily Liquid Extract and S. terebinthifolius Essential Oil and Their Potential Antifungal Activity

“…Lignocellulosic materials such as wood can be affected or deteriorated by fungi in moist conditions, causing a loss in the overall quality or the surface quality of the wood, as well as some environmental problems as a result of their excretion of toxins [35][36][37][38]. Some works have been carried out to preserve or protect some commercial wood species from deterioration by fungi using natural extracts, and the results showed good antifungal activity, either inhibiting or preventing their growth [2,3,7,8].…”

The Potential Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Wood Treated with Withania somnifera Fruit Extract, and the Phenolic, Caffeine, and Flavonoid Composition of the Extract According to HPLC

“…Molds (Penicillium selerotigenum, Paecilomyces variotii, and Aspergillus niger) show different growths on Citharexylum spinosum and Morus alba woods, reflecting their natural durability [35]. On the other hand, and during storage conditions with moist and poor environments, wood, wood containers, and wood-boxes may deteriorate or become stained with the growth of molds [36], which colonize these wood types and use simple sugars and starches for growth [37,38].…”