A Simple Method That Uses Differential Staining and Light Microscopy To Assess the Selectivity of Wood Delignification by White Rot Fungi

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.60.4.1383-1386.1994
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01T04:56:50Z
• Authors: Ewald Srebotnik; Kurt Messner
• Keywords: White rot; Microtome; Safranin; Differential staining

Cryostat microtome sections of birch wood degraded by white rot fungi were examined light microscopy after treatment with two stains: astra-blue, which stains cellulose blue only in the absence lignin, and safranin, lignin regardless whether is present. The method provided a simple reliable screening procedure that distinguishes between cause decay selectively removing those degrade both simultaneously. Moreover, morphological characteristics specific to selective delignification revealed.