Biomechanical pulping with Phlebiopsis gigantea reduced energy consumption and increased paper strength

The effectiveness of P. gigantea at reducing wood extractives, at decreasing energy consumption, at increasing fiber porosity, and at increasing paper strength properties is experimentally evaluated. The percentage of logs colonized by P. gigantea, the percentage of wood extractives present in the logs, and the percentage of refined wood fibers stained with Simons' stain was determined. The changes in energy consumption during mechanical pulping and the changes in the physical properties of handsheets was also determined. It indicates that the biological pulping of logs with P. gigantea resulted in the degradation of wood extractives, the reduction of energy consumed during mechanical refining, and the improvement of paper strength properties.