CARTAPIP (TM) - A BIOPULPING PRODUCT FOR CONTROL OF PITCH AND RESIN ACID PROBLEMS IN PULP-MILLS

This paper addresses a biological treatment of wood chips using specif ic isolants of the ascomycete, Ophiostoma piliferum, which results in a reduced extractive content, specifically pitch also known as resin, of the wood chips. Natural isolants of O. piliferum cause blue stain i n the sapwood of conifers. Colorless isolants of O. piliferum, isolate d in the laboratory, marketed as Cartapip(TM) have been shown not to c ause discoloration of wood. Hyphae preferentially colonize ray parench yma cells and resin canals. Studies have shown that not only does over all pitch content decrease with treatment of wood chips by the O. pili ferum strains tested, but also many free resin acids and fatty acids a re significantly reduced. Additionally, treatment of wood chips with t he colorless strains of O. piliferum results in biocontrol since other microorganisms including staining organisms have significantly reduce d growth on the wood chips. Therefore bleach chemicals can be saved in the processing of mechanical pulp to give higher brightness paper.