Solid state fermentation of lignocellulose containing plant residues withSporotrichum pulverulentum Nov. andDichomitus squalens (Karst.) Reid.

Summary The fermentation profiles ofSporotrichum pulverulentum andDichomitus squalens showed distinct differences.D. squalens digested the substrate more slowly thanSporotrichum pulverulentum. The relative degradation rates of total organic matter and lignin also differed considerably.Whereas withS. pulverulentum the ratio was about the same throughout the whole observation period, withDichomitus squalens it altered in favour of lignin degradation.WithSporotrichum pulverulentum an optimum digestion in vitro of 40%–50% was achieved after 20 days of incubation. WithDichomitus squalens the best value (about 60%) was reached after 30 days of incubation. Increasing incubation temperatures enhanced the degradation of the substrate.As found with wheat straw, all other substrates tested (straw of rape and barley, glumes of rice) were degraded more slowly byDichomitus squalens than bySporotrichum pulverulentum. The degradation rates for oak, spruce and beech sawdust were very low compared to those for straw.Small amounts of ammonium nitrate stimulated the degradation of straw byS. pulverulentum whereas higher concentrations had an inhibitory effect. The optimum water content of the substrate, measured by decomposition of total organic matter and lignin and by in vitro digestibility, was between 50 and 100 ml of water/25 g substrate. Higher and lower water contents had an unfavourable effect.Varying the pore size of the substrate by using milled straw of defined particle size had no influence on the 6 parameters tested under the given experimental conditions.The best method to supress potential competitors was to heat the substrate to 90°C for 24 h.     

Effects of Nitrogen Sources on Cellulose and Synthetic Lignin Degradation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Phanerochaete chrysosporium degraded cellulose faster with organic nitrogen sources than with NH₄Cl. Simple and complex nitrogen sources added at the time of inoculation to N-limited cultures of P. chrysosporium, with glucose as carbon/energy source, transiently stimulated degradation of synthetic [¹⁴C]lignin to ¹⁴CO₂. The same nitrogen sources added 5 days after inoculation, when the cultures were entering secondary metabolism, delayed ¹⁴CO₂ production. The various N sources affected synthetic lignin degradation in defined medium differently than lignin degradation in aspen wood.     

Solid-state fermentation,lignin degradation and resulting digestibility of wheat straw fermented by selected white-rot fungi

Summary Lignin biodegradation, carbon loss and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) have been investigated during the solid state fermentation of wheat straw by eight previously selected strains of white-rot fungi. A mathematical model of the degradation kinetics is presented. [The time period required to reach maximum rates of ¹⁴CO₂ and unlabeled CO₂ release from (¹⁴C)-lignin-labelled wheat straw and from whole wheat straw, respectively, was generally short (6–10 days).] High rates of ¹⁴C-lignin degradation were achieved by Pycnoporus cinnabarinus (2.9% ¹⁴CO₂ evolved/day), an unidentified strain Nancon (3.0%/day), Sporotrichum pulverulentum Nov. (3.4%/day), Bjerkandera adusta (2.4%/day), and Dichomitus squalens (2.3%). However, only the latter two strains degraded whole wheat straw slowly and Bjerkandera adusta was not able to degrade more than 23% of the ¹⁴C-lignin. Cyathus stercoreus and Dichomitus squalens facilitated the highest improvement in IVDMD (68% against 38% for the sound straw) after 20 and 15 days of cultivation respectively, with low dry matter losses (15–20%). A study of the fate of ¹⁴C-lignin during fermentation using these two fungal strains showed that maximal levels of (¹⁴C)-water-soluble compounds are reached before peak levels of ¹⁴CO₂ evolution suggesting that these compounds are intermediates in lignin degradation. A possible relationship between water-soluble lignins and IVDMD improvement is discussed.     

Effect of ectomycorrhizal fungi on nitrogen mineralisation and the growth of Scots pine seedlings in natural peat

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of different isolates of ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi to enhance the growth of Pinus sylvestris seedlings in five natural peat substrates with different nitrogen concentrations, and the effect of the Scots pine seedlings and fungal inoculum on the formation of dissolved inorganic and organic nitrogen in peat. Utilization of different organic nitrogen compounds by microbial community in the peat was also investigated using Biolog MT MicroPlates. Inoculation of the seedlings with EM fungi enhanced seedling growth. Piloderma croceum increased root growth especially, whereas Lactarius rufus increased needle growth and Suillus variegatus I, II and III improved both root and needle growth. All the EM fungi also significantly affected stem growth. Nitrogen concentration of the peat did not affect seedling growth as much as the EM fungi. At the lowest peat N concentration (1.17%) NH ₄ ⁺ mineralisation was lower and DON (dissolved organic nitrogen) accumulation higher than at higher peat N concentrations. The EM fungal isolates had different effects on NH ₄ ⁺ and DON accumulation/degradation in peat. The EM fungal isolates significantly increased NH ₄ ⁺ formation in the peat, whereas L. rufus and P. croceum had an opposite effect on DON accumulation. S. variegatus I significantly decreased the DON concentrations during peat incubation. The N concentration of the peat slightly affected the utilization of amino acids and polyamines by the microbial community, whereas inoculation with S. variegatus I, II or III had no effect.     

The importance of phenol oxidase activity in lignin degradation by the white-rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum

The lignin degradation abilities of wildtype, a phenol oxidase-less mutant and a phenol oxidase-positive revertant of Sporotrichum pulverulentum were compared to determine if phenol oxidase activity is necessary for lignin degradation by white-rot fungi. The phenol oxidase-less mutant was unable to degrade kraft lignin or wood. The phenol oxidase-positive revertant, however, regained the ability of the wildtype to degrade kraft lignin and all of the major components of wood. It was found that kraft lignin and lignin-related phenols decreased cellulase and xylanase production by the phenol oxidase-less mutant. Addition of highly purified laccase increased the production of endo-1,4--glucanase in the phenol oxidase-less mutant in the presence of vanillic acid and kraft lignin. After addition of laccase to kraft lignin agar plates, the phenol oxidase-less mutant could degrade kraft lignin.It is proposed that phenol oxidase function in regulating the production of both lignin-and polysaccharide-degrading enzymes by oxidation of lignin and lignin-related phenols when S. pulverulentum is growing on wood.Abbreviation WT wildtype Sporotrichum pulverulentum Research supported by a grant from Stiftelsen Nils and Dorthi Troëdssons forskningsfond     

Radiocarbon evidence for the mining of organic nitrogen from soil by mycorrhizal fungi

Organic nitrogen use by mycorrhizal fungi and associated plants could fuel productivity in nitrogen-limited systems. To test whether fungi assimilated soil-derived organic nitrogen, we compared the ¹⁴C signal (expressed as Δ¹⁴C) from 1950s to 1960s thermonuclear testing in protein and structural carbon of ectomycorrhizal fungi. As expected, structural carbon had Δ¹⁴C similar to recent photosynthesis; however, protein Δ¹⁴C was either higher or lower than structural carbon depending on the fungal taxa. This suggests that some protein carbon derived from uptake of organic nitrogen with different Δ¹⁴C signals. Specimens from two taxa (Lactarius and Russula) adapted to taking up soluble nutrients had protein higher than structural carbon in Δ¹⁴C, indicating uptake of young, post-bomb organic nitrogen, whereas two taxa (Cortinarius and Leccinum) adapted to using insoluble, complex organic nutrients had protein lower than structural carbon in Δ¹⁴C, indicating uptake of old, pre-bomb organic nitrogen. Tuber, a genus common in mineral soil, was also consistently lower in Δ¹⁴C for protein than for structural carbon, with an estimated 10 % of protein carbon originating from old, deep organic nitrogen for this taxon. Our results indicate that radiocarbon can provide evidence of organic nitrogen use in ectomycorrhizal fungi and reflects the exploration depth of different taxa.     

Biodegradation kinetics of the nitramine explosive CL-20 in soil and microbial cultures

The cyclic nitramine explosive CL-20 (C₆H₆N₁₂O₁₂, 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12 -hexaazaisowurtzitane) is a relatively new energetic compound which could be a persistent organic pollutant. To follow its biodegradation dynamics, CL-20 was added to soil alone or together with organic co-substrates and N-source and incubated under oxic and anoxic conditions. Without co-substrates, the CL-20 degradation was detectable only under anoxic conditions. The highest degradation rate was found under aerobic conditions and with the addition of co-substrates, succinate and pyruvate being more efficient than acetate, glucose, starch or yeast extract. When added to intact soil, CL-20 degradation was not affected by the N content, but in soil serially diluted with N-free succinate-mineral medium, the process became N-limited. About 40% of randomly selected bacterial colonies grown on succinate agar medium were able to decompose CL-20. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequence and cell morphology, they were affiliated to Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Ochrobactrum, Mycobacterium and Ralstonia. In the pure culture of Pseudomonas sp. MS-P grown on the succinate-mineral N(+) medium, the degradation kinetics were first order with the same apparent kinetic constant throughout growth and decline phases of the batch culture. The observed kinetics agreed with the model that supposes co-metabolic transformation of CL-20 uncoupled from cell growth, which can be carried out by several constitutive cellular enzymes with wide substrate specificity. The GenBank accession numbers for the 16S rRNA gene sequences obtained on this study are AY773005–AY773010. Pseudomonas sp. MS-P (=B-41417) was deposited with Agriculture Research Service Culture Collection, USA.     

Bioconversion of kinnow-mandarin waste into single-cell protein

Summary Kinnow-mandarin waste (peel, pulp and seeds) was assessed for single-cell protein (SCP) production byChaetomium globosum andSporotrichum pulverulentum in shake-flask culture. The maximum protein enrichment (32% and 34%) of the substrate was achieved after 5 and 7 days of incubation by the two organisms, respectively. Of various nitrogen sources, NaNO₃ and NH₄Cl gave maximum protein enrichment of the substrate byC. globosum andS. pulverulentum, respectively.

---

Bioconversion des résidus de la mandarine-kinnow en protéine uni-cellulaire

Résumé On a examiné la possibilité de produire des protéines uni-cellulaires (POU) à partir de résidus de la mandarine-kinnow (pelures, pulpe, et pépins) par la culture deChaetomium globosum et deSporotrichum pulverulentum en flacons agités. L'enrichissement maximum en protéines du substrat, soit 32 et 34% est obtenu après 5 et 7 jours d'incubation respectivement par les deux organismes. Parmi les diverses sources d'azote, NaNO₃ et NH₄Cl ont permis respectivement l'enrichissement maximum en protéines du substrat parC. globosum etS. pulverulentum.

     

Fermentation of waste mechanical fibers from a newsprint mill by the rot fungus Sporotrichum pulverulentum

The growth and protein production of Sporotrichum pulverulentum, formerly called Chrysosporium lignorum, have been studied in submerged cultures using lignin-containing waste fibers from a newsprint mill as the only carbon source. The influence of different nitrogen sources on the growth parameters has been particularly investigated. The regulation of the production of extracellular enzymes and their interaction with the fibers is discussed. Experiments with cellulose of different degrees of polymerization and crystallinities showed that the protein content in the residual substance decreased, particularly when the crystallinity increased. When the highly crystalline powder cellulose was used as carbon source, the protein content in the residual substance was only 6% and with the mechanical waste fibers 14%. The results obtained demonstrate that the more complex the carbon source the more difficult it is to digest and the more enzyme has to be produced for its degradation. This puts a heavy burden on the protein synthesizing mechanism. Utilizing results from other work, where the endo- and exo-l, 4-β-glucanases produced by S. pulverulentum for the degradation of cellulose have been quantitatively purified, it has been calculated that the extracellular enzymes under these conditions can together account for approximately 30% of the protein in the mycelium. The endo- and exo-1,4-β-glucanases account for up to 55% of the extracellular protein. Certain possibilities of producing a final product with a high protein content using complex carbon sources are also mentioned.     

Screening of white-rot fungi on (14C)lignin-labelled and (14C)whole-labelled wheat straw

Summary 74 Basidiomycetes have been tested for ligninolytic capability on (¹⁴C)lignin-labelled wheat straw. Fifteen strains were selected and rested more accurately for ligninolytic activity and the capacity to degrade wheat straw. The asymptote, inflexion point and degradation rate were determined using a model approach. The fungi exhibited very different responses with respect to lignin biodegradation: high asymptote for Pleurotus ostreatus (77%), low inflexion points for Sporotrichum pulverulentum Nov. (6.1 days) and Pycnoporus spp. (2.7 to 4.7 days) with high and slow degradation rates, respectively (0.91% and 0.45% of ¹⁴CO₂ release/day). Degradation values for (¹⁴C)whole-labelled wheat straw exhibited less variation. Finally, the strains Pleurotus ostreatus, Dichomitus squalens and Bjerkandera adusta showed the highest selectivity of lignin removal.     

Comparison of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Degradation by Seven Strains of White Rot Fungi

The degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by seven strains of white rot fungi was examined in two different media containing 50 mg L⁻¹ of TNT. When TNT was added into a nutrient-rich YMG medium at the beginning of the incubation, four of the fungal strains completely removed TNT during several days of incubation and showed higher removal rates than those of Phanerochaete chrysosporium. TNT added into YMG medium after a 5-day preincubation period completely disappeared within 12 hours, and the removal rates were higher than those in N-limited minimal medium. Isomers of hydroxylamino-dinitrotoluene were identified as the first detectable metabolites of TNT. These were transformed to amino-dinitrotoluenes, which also disappeared during further incubation from cultures of Irpex lacteus. During the initial phase of TNT degradation by I. lacteus, dinitrotoluenes were also detected after the transient formation of a hydride-Meisenheimer complex, indicating that I. lacteus used two different pathways of TNT degradation simultaneously. Received: 29 March 2000 / Accepted: 23 May 2000     

Decomposition of 14C-labelled lignin,holocellulose and lignocellulose by mycorrhizal fungi

Five different species of known ecto-mycorrhizal fungi: Cenococcum geophilum, Amanita muscaria, Tricholoma aurantium, Rhizopogon luteolus and Rhizopogon roseolus were studied for their ability to metabolize the major components of plant cell walls. All strains were able to decompose ¹⁴C-labelled plant lignin, ¹⁴C-lignocellulose and ¹⁴C-DHP-lignin at a rate which was lower than the one observed for the known white rot fungi Heterobasidion annosum and Sporotrichum pulverulentum. Also ¹⁴C-(U)-holocellulose was relatively less degradable for the mycorrhizal fungi than for the white rotters. On the other hand, aromatic monomers like ¹⁴C-vanillic acid were decomposed to a much higher extent by two species of mycorrhizal fungi compared to the activity observed for Heterobasidion annosum. The results of the experiments reveal that these stains of mycorrhizal fungi are well able to utilize the major components of plant material and thus can contribute to litter decomposition in the forest floor.     

White-rot fungal growth on sugarcane lignocellulosic residue

Summary Twelve white-rot fungi were grown in solid state culture on sugarcane chips previously fermented by yeast employing the EX-FERM process. The lignocellulosic sugarcane residue had 12.5% permanganate lignin and 81.3% holocellulose. After 5 to 6 weeks at 20° C, all fungi produced a solid residue which had a lower in vitro dry matter enzymatic digestibility than the original bagasse, with the exception of Coriolus versicolor which showed a slight increase of 0.6 units. Four fungi produced a residue with higher soluble solids than the original sample. Lignin losses were rather similar for all fungi tested, an average value of 38.64% of the original value was obtained. About the same amount of hemicellulose was degreaded, 32.22%. Most fungi showed a preference for hemicellulose hydrolysis over cellulose degradation. The two fungi that showed greater cellulolytic activity were Sporotrichum pulverulentum and Dichomitus squalens. No appreciable dry matter losses were detected for Agrocybe aergerita and Flammulina velutipes.     

Mobilisation of potassium and phosphorus from iron ore by ectomycorrhizal fungi

Mutualistic roles of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi have been linked to their ability to produce organic acids that aid in the dissolution of insoluble minerals in the rhizosphere. This ability of ECM fungi was utilised to investigate their potential participation in the mobilisation of nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) from a typical insoluble ore—iron ore. In vitro pure cultures of four different ECM fungi; Pisolithus tinctorius, Paxillus involutus, Phialocephala fortini, and Suillus tomentosus were screened for their ability to mobilise P and K from two types of non-exportable Sishen iron ore. When present in iron ore, these elements are deleterious and reduce the commercial values of the ore. Experiment was set up with different treatments that included two ore types (KGT and SK) and five particle sizes of each ore type. Results indicated the potential of the four fungi to mobilise P and K from the two iron ore types though at different levels. Ore type, particle size, organic acid production and attachment of the fungi to the iron ore were all found to play important roles in the mobilisation of nutrients from these ores.     

Wood stimulates the demethoxylation of [O14CH3]-labeled lignin model compounds by the white-rot fungi Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Phlebia radiata

Mineralization of polymeric wood lignin and its substructures is a result of complex reactions involving oxidizing and reducing enzymes and radicals. The degradation of methoxyl groups is an essential part of this process. The presence of wood greatly stimulates the demethoxylation of a non-phenolic lignin model compound (a [O¹⁴CH₃]-labeled β-O-4 dimer) by the lignin-degrading white-rot fungi Phlebia radiata and Phanerochaete chrysosporium. When grown on wood, both fungi produced up to 47 and 40% ¹⁴CO₂ of the applied ¹⁴C activity, respectively, under air and oxygen in 8 weeks. Without wood, the demethoxylation of the dimer by both fungi was lower, varying between 0.5 and 35%. Addition of nutrient nitrogen together with glucose decreased demethoxylation when the fungi were grown on spruce wood under air. Because the evolution of ¹⁴CO₂ in the absence of wood was poor, the fungi may have preferably used wood as a carbon and nitrogen source. The amount of fungal mycelium, as determined by the ergosterol assay, did not show connection to demethoxylation. P. radiata also showed a high demethoxylation of [O¹⁴CH₃]-labeled vanillic acid in the presence of birch wood. The degradation of lignin and lignin-related substances should be studied in the presence of wood, the natural substrate for white-rot fungi.     

Effect of organic and inorganic nitrogen sources on endogenous polyamines and growth of ectomycorrhizal fungi in pure culture

 The abilities of three ectomycorrhizal fungi, Paxillus involutus, Suillus variegatus and Lactarius rufus, to utilize organic and inorganic nitrogen sources were determined by measuring the growth and endogenous free polyamines (putrescine, spermidine and spermine) of pure culture mycelium. Differences were found in the utilization of the nitrogen sources and in the polyamine concentrations between the fungal species and between isolates of L. rufus. All the fungi grew well on ammonium and on several amino acids. Endogenous polyamine levels varied with the nitrogen source. Spermidine was commonly the most abundant polyamine; however, more putrescine than spermidine was found in P. involutus growing on inorganic nitrogen or arginine. Low amounts of spermine were found in S. variegatus and some samples of L. rufus. None or only a trace of spermine was found in P. involutus mycelium. In all fungi, putrescine concentrations were higher with ammonium than with the nitrate treatment. The total nitrogen content of peat did not determine the ability of L. rufus strains isolated from peatland forest sites to utilize organic nitrogen. Accepted: 27 November 1998     

不同生境黑老虎根际和内生真菌多样性分析

为探究不同生长条件下黑老虎根际和根部内生真菌群落组成和多样性及其与土壤环境因子的相关性,该文应用Illumina高通量测序方法对贵州3个不同生境下黑老虎根际和根部内生真菌进行了研究。结果表明:(1)3种生境下,根际土壤真菌OTU数量(3 867)远多于根部内生真菌(801),其中根际土壤真菌共有的OTU为72个,共注释到5个门、49个属,大多为子囊菌门; 属水平上被孢霉属、外瓶柄霉属、 柱孢属占比较高; 根部内生真菌共有的OTU为14个,共注释到2个门、11个属,子囊菌门(13个,占比92.9%)占绝对优势,属水平上被孢霉属、外瓶柄霉属、 柱孢属和丛赤壳属占比最高; 所有样本中,共有的OTU仅为6个,注释到2个门、5个属,子囊菌门(5个,占比83.3%)为优势门; 在属水平上,占比最高的为外瓶柄霉属(2个,33.3%),其余分别为被孢霉属、柱孢属和丛赤壳属 。Alpha多样性分析表明,根际土壤的真菌群落多样性和丰富度均显著高于根部内生真菌,而野生生境的真菌多样性高于栽培生境。(2)在门水平上,3个生境下主要内生真菌类群均为子囊菌门(Ascomycota)和担子菌门(Basidiomycota),占总菌群的88.28%; 在属水平上,不同生境条件下,根际和根部内生真菌群落结构差异明显; 栽培生境下,根部内生真菌菌群具有一定的偏好性,而野生生境下,根部内生真菌菌群均匀度更高; FUNGuild真菌群落功能预测显示,栽培生境下的病理-腐生营养型(pathotroph-saprotroph)在根部内生真菌中占比较高,而野生生境下的腐生营养型(saprotroph)及共生营养型(symbiotroph)占比较高。(3)土壤环境因子对根部内生真菌和根际真菌的影响方式不同,其中土壤总钾(TK)和土壤总磷(TP)与黑老虎根部内生真菌香农指数和辛普森指数显著正相关,而土壤有机质(SOM)、总氮(TN)和速效氮(AN)与黑老虎根际土壤真菌Ace指数和Chao1指数显著正相关。综上表明,土壤有机质、总氮、速效氮是影响黑老虎根际土壤真菌群落的主要土壤环境因子。     

Fungal degradation of kraft lignin and lignin sulfonates prepared form synthetic 14C-lignins

Kraft lignins (KL), bleached kraft lignins (BKL), and lignin sulfonates (LS) were prepared from synthetic ¹⁴C-lignins labeled in the aromatic nuclei or in the propyl side chains. These and control lignins (CL) were incubated with the lignin-decomposing white-rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium Burds., in a defined culture medium containing cellulose as growth substrate. Decomposition was monitored by measuring the ¹⁴CO₂ evolved. Average percentages of the [ring-¹⁴C]- and [side chain-¹⁴C]-lignins, respectively, recovered as ¹⁴CO₂ at the cessation of ¹⁴CO₂ evolution were: KL, 41 and 31; BKL, 42 and 26; LS, 28 and 21; and CL, 26 and 24. Gel permeation chromatography of radiolabeled materials extracted from spent cultures showed that substantial degradation to nonvolatile products had occurred. The polymeric components in the extracts were further degraded in fresh cultures. These results indicate that industrial lignins are significantly bioalterable, and that under favorable conditions industrial lignins are substantially biodegradable.     

Submerged cultivation of a thermotolerant basidiomycete on cereal flours and other substrates

The imperfect state, Sporotrichum pulverulentum, of thecellulolytic basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporiumhas been grown on barley flour and other agricultural products in shake cultures, in an air-lift fermentor, and in stirred fermentors. The growth morphology varied with cultivation conditions, but it was possible to maintain heavy suspensions of loosely associated mycelia in fermentors. The fungus can grow in temperatures up to 40°C and use ammonium salts or organic nitrogen sources to convert sugars, starch, pectin, and various seed residues to a biomass containing 30–40% protein with a favorable amino acid composition. Serial cultures were grown on flours under conditions where the larger part of the culture was withdrawn and replaced with new medium every, or every other, day. The mycelia are easy to harvest by filtration and have several properties which make the product attractive as a potential food ingredient.     

Ligninolytic activity and levels of ammonia assimilating enzymes in Sporotrichum pulverulentum

Levels of ammonia-assimilating enzymes (glutamate dehydrogenase, glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase) were determined in extracts of Sporotrichum pulverulentum grown under different conditions with respect to both nitrogen source and concentration. Evolution of ¹⁴CO₂ from ¹⁴C-synthetic lignin by fungal cultures grown under parallel conditions was also determined as a measure of lignin decomposition and the suppressive effect of nitrogen on ligninolysis confirmed. Under low nitrogen conditions, fungal extracts exhibited relatively high levels of NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase dehydrogenase. Conversely, in high nitrogen extracts, lower levels of NADP-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase and glutamine synthetase activity, and higher levels of NAD-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase, were recorded. Possible effects of enzyme activities on intracellular pool concentrations of glutamate/glutamine, and the implications for the regulation of lignin metabolism, are discussed.A preliminary report was presented at The Ekman Days 1981, International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry, Stockholm, Sweden, June 9–12, 1981.