The book deals with the decomposition of wood and its components by fungi and bacteria. The various degrad ing mechanisms are described in detail. Results of this research can be used biotechnologically for fermentation and production of foods.

Inhalt
1 Morphological Aspects of Wood Degradation by Fungi and Bacteria.- 1.1 Morphology of Wood and Wood Components.- 1.2 Wood Degradation by White-Rot Fungi.- 1.3 Wood Degradation by Brown-Rot Fungi.- 1.4 Wood Degradation by Soft-Rot Fungi.- 1.5 Wood Degradation by Bacteria.- 2 Biodegradation of Cellulose.- 2.1 The Structure and Biosynthesis of Cellulose.- 2.2 Cellulolytic Fungi.- 2.3 Cellulolytic Enzymes.- 2.4 Assay of Enzymes Participating in Cellulose Degradation.- 2.5 Cellulose Degradation by White-Rot, Brown-Rot, Soft-Rot, and Anaerobic Fungi.- 2.6 Cellulose Degradation by Bacteria.- 2.7 Regulation of Cellulase Synthesis.- 2.8 Synergistic Mechanisms Involved in Cellulose Degradation.- 2.9 Examples of Applications of Cellulolytic Microorganisms and Their Enzymes.- 3 Biodegradation of Hemicelluloses.- 3.1 The Structures of Hemicelluloses.- 3.2 Biosynthesis of Hemicelluloses.- 3.3 Xylanolytic Enzymes.- 3.4 Mannan-Degrading Enzymes.- 3.5 Examples of Applications of Hemicellulolytic Organisms and Their Enzymes.- 4 Biodegradation of Lignin.- 4.1 Biosynthesis and Structure of Lignin.- 4.2 Lignin Preparations and Methods for Studying Lignin Biodegradation.- 4.3 Lignin Degradation by White-Rot Fungi.- 4.4 Chemistry of Lignin Degraded by White-Rot Fungi.- 4.5 Biochemistry of Lignin Degradation.- 4.6 Metabolism of Monomeric Lignin-Related Compounds.- 4.7 Lignin Degradation by Brown-Rot, Soft-Rot, and Other Fungi.- 4.8 Lignin Degradation by Bacteria.- 4.9 Potential Applications of White-Rot Fungi.- 4.10 Some Examples of Future Research Possibilities.- References.