Brown Rot fungi primarily target which components of wood?

Brown rot fungi primarily target hemicellulose and cellulose, which are crucial components of wood structure. These fungi specialize in breaking down these polysaccharides, leading to the structural weakening and decay of the wood. Hemicellulose, which surrounds cellulose fibers, provides strength and rigidity to the wood cell walls. When brown rot fungi decompose hemicellulose, they release glucose and other sugars, which fuel the fungi's growth.

Cellulose, being the main structural component of the wood cell wall, is also attacked by these fungi. The breakdown of cellulose by brown rot fungi results in the characteristic brown and crumbly texture that is often observed in decayed wood.

This selective degradation process is why brown rot fungi can cause significant damage to wooden structures without affecting the lignin content as severely, which is the component that typically provides wood with its rigidity and resistance to decay. Thus, focusing on hemicellulose and cellulose is central to understanding how brown rot fungi impact wood materials.