Biomechanical Pulping of Aspen Wood Chips with Three Strains of <i>Ceriporiopsis subvermispora</i>

Abstract

Summary In connection with continuing research on biopulping, aspen wood chips were treated with three different strains of the white-rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora for four weeks prior to refiner mechanical pulping. All three strains saved substantial amounts of electrical energy (40-48%) during fiberization and refining. and improved burst (23-40’%), tear (13l–l62%), tensile (17–27%), and tensile energy absorption (13–25%) indices over the untreated control. Fungal treatment had no apparent effect on elongation or opacity. All strains decreased density (12–14%), brightness (18–21%), and light scattering coefficient (34–37%) over the untreated control. Based on energy savings and strength improvements, strain CZ-3 appeared to be superior to the other strains.