Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Forestry and Wood Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
2
Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Elshatby, Alexandria 21545, Egypt
3
Department of Chemistry of Pesticides, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Elshatby, Alexandria 21545, Egypt
4
Forestry and Timber Tree Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Wood-decaying fungi pose a considerable challenge to the timber industry, particularly in countries like Egypt that rely heavily on imported softwood. The growing interest in environmentally sustainable alternatives to synthetic wood preservatives has directed attention toward naturally derived antifungal agents. In this study, six bioactive natural compounds brefeldin A (compound A), anthracobic acid A (compound B), phomaxanthone A (compound C), leucodin (compound D), parthenolide (compound E), and vasicine (compound F) were isolated and assessed for their antifungal activity against two major wood-decay fungi: the brown-rot fungus Tyromyces palustris and the white-rot fungus Irpex lacteus. Miniature blocks of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) were treated with different concentrations (125–1000 ppm) of each compound and then exposed to fungal attack for eight weeks. The treated samples showed a significant reduction in mass loss, falling below 5% at the highest concentrations, compared to nearly 30% in untreated controls. These results confirm the strong antifungal performance of the tested compounds, suggesting their potential as green wood preservatives for use in above-ground applications.
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