Enzymatically polymerized phenolic compounds as wood preservatives

Phenolic compounds were studied as natural preservatives against wood decaying fungi. Vanillin and tannin decreased the growth of the test organisms Coniophora puteana and Coriolus versicolor and decreased the weight losses caused by these organisms in wood blocks. Both compounds were, however, leached in standard washing tests, and higher weight losses were observed in leached samples. Enzymatic polymerization with laccase was used as a means of binding the phenolic preservatives into the wood. Using an optimized laccase dosage, wood impregnation with enzymatically polymerized vanillin reduced the weight loss by C. puteana from 25% to 5%.