Fungal degradation and bioremediation system for ACQ-treated wood

Abstract

A method for degrading and/or bioremediating waste wood containing ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ) using a fungal inoculum is disclosed. The fungal inoculum comprises of at least one ACQ-tolerant fungus. a lignocellulosic substrate and a nutrient supplement. The fungal inoculum is applied to the waste wood and maintained in an aerated and hydrated environment having temperature conditions sufficient to allow the inoculum to grow and metabolize the ACQ. The inoculum and the waste wood are combined until an end product is achieved that is at least partially remediated or of a reduced volume.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method for bioremediating wood containing ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ) comprising the steps of: 
 inoculating wood containing ACQ with a fungal inoculum comprising at least one ACQ-tolerant fungus, at least one lignocellulosic substrate and at least one nutrient supplement, the lignocellulosic substrate and the nutrient supplement in an amount sufficient to produce a biomass of the fungal inoculum sufficient to at least partially remediate the ACQ; and    aerating and hydrating the inoculated wood for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the fungal inoculum to remediate the ACQ.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus is selected from the group consisting of  Meruliporia incrassata  (TFFH-294),  Antrodia radiculosa  (MJL-630) and  Antrodia radiculosa  (FP-90848-T).  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus is  Antrodia radiculosa  (FP-90848-T).  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the lignocellulosic substrate is selected from the group consisting of sawdust, wood chips, rice straw, corn stalks, and wheat straw.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the nutrient supplement is selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, cornmeal and wheatbran.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inoculated wood is aerated and hydrated in dark, aerobic conditions, at a relative humidity of about 70%, and in a temperature range from about 20° C. to 35° C.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the inoculated wood is aerated and hydrated in a temperature range from about 27° C. to 32° C.  
     
     
         8 . A method for degrading wood containing ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ) comprising the steps of: 
 inoculating wood containing ACQ with a fungal inoculum comprising at least one ACQ-tolerant fungus, at least one lignocellulosic substrate and at least one nutrient supplement, the lignocellulosic substrate and nutrient supplement in an amount sufficient to produce a biomass of the fungal inoculum sufficient to degrade the wood; and    aerating and hydrating the inoculated wood for a time and under conditions sufficient to allow the fungal inoculum to degrade the wood to reach a degradation product.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus is selected from the group consisting of  Meruliporia incrassata  (TFFH-294),  Antrodia radiculosa  (MJL-630), and  Antrodia radiculosa  (FP-90848-T).  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus is  Antrodia radiculosa  (FP-90848-T).  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the lignocellulosic substrate is selected from the group consisting of sawdust, wood chips, rice straw, corn stalks, and wheat straw.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nutrient supplement is selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, cornmeal and wheatbran.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the inoculated wood is aerated and hydrated in dark, aerobic conditions, at a relative humidity of about 70%, and in a temperature range from about 20° C. to 35° C.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the inoculated wood is aerated and hydrated in a temperature rage from about 27° C. to 32° C.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the degradation product exhibits a loss in dry weight of an amount in excess of 5% of the dry weight of the wood.  
     
     
         16 . A fungal inoculum for degrading and bioremediating wood containing ammoniacal copper arsenate (ACQ) comprising at least one ACQ-tolerant fungus, at least one lignocellulosic substrate, and at least one nutrient supplement.  
     
     
         17 . The fungal inoculum of  claim 16  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus is selected from the group consisting of  Meruliporia incrassata  (TFFH-294),  Antrodia radiculosa  (MJL-63)0), and  Antrodia radiculosa  (FP-90848-T).  
     
     
         18 . The fungal inoculum of  claim 16  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus is  Antrodia radiculosa  (FD-90848-T).  
     
     
         19 . The fungal inoculum of  claim 16  wherein the lignocellulosic substrate is selected from the group consisting of sawdust, wood chips, rice straw, corn stalks, and wheat straw.  
     
     
         20 . The fungal inoculum of  claim 16  wherein the nutrient supplement is selected from the group consisting of corn steep liquor, cornmeal and wheatbran.  
     
     
         21 . A method for preparing a fungal inoculum for degrading or bioremediating wood containing ammoniacal copper quat (ACQ), comprising the steps of: 
 combining at least one ACQ-tolerant fungus with a matrix comprising at least one lignocellulosic substrate, at least one nutrient supplement, and sterile water; and    growing the ACQ-tolerant fungus and matrix combination in dark, aerobic conditions, at a relative humidity of about 70%, and in a temperature range of about 20° C. to 35° C.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the ACQ-tolerant fungus and matrix combination is grown in a temperature range of about 25° C. to 32 ° C.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the volume of lignocellulosic substrate is about 25% to 33% the volume of sterile water, and the volume of nutrient supplement is about 1% to 5% the volume of sterile water.