Characterization of cellulose decomposed by saprotrophic fungi using Raman spectroscopy

Wood decomposition has been studied extensively due to its importance in wood deterioration and carbon cycling processes. Wood decaying fungi are categorised into white rot, soft rot and brown rot. White rot fungi have an enzymatic mechanism by which they can digest lignin and crystalline cellulose. Instead, brown rot fungi lack the enzymes to digest lignin and crystalline cellulose. Several hypotheses have been made on the mechanism by which brown rot fungi mine carbon out without the required enzymes mainly focussing on extracellular metabolites and metal ions. Here, we investigate chemical and structural modifications on cellulose produced by saprotrophic fungi using Raman specrtroscopy under different conditions. In additions, known modifications introduced by chemicals on cellulose will also be compared to fungal changes on cellulose.