Characterization of white zones produced on Pinus radiata wood chips by Ganoderma australe and Ceriporiopsis subvermispora

White zones produced on biodegraded Pinus radiata wood chips were character ized by micro-localized-FTIR (Fourier Transformed Infra Red) spectroscopy a nd scanning electron microscopy. Both techniques permitted assignment of th e white zones to a selective lignin removal process. Although both fungi st udied have degraded lignin selectively in these restricted superficial area s, chemical analysis of the wood chips indicated that Ganoderma australe re moved 16% of the initial amount of glucan at the 20% weight loss level. Cer iporiopsis subvermispora did not remove glucan at weight loss values below 17%. Prolonged biodegradation resulted in reduction of white zones by G. au strale, and increased white zones from C. subvermispora decayed samples.