Biotechnological approach for α-pinene, β-pinene, and Δ3-carene degradation in pine wood for reduced terpene emissions from Oriented Strand Boards

This study investigated the reduction of terpene emissions from Oriented Strand Boards (OSB) by pre-treatment of pine wood strands with a mixed culture of Pseudomonas bacteria and the ascomycete Penicillium nigricans. While Pseudomonas alone efficiently degraded α-pinene and β-pinene, the combined action of both microorganisms was required for the simultaneous degradation of all three major terpenes in pine wood including Δ3-carene. Δ3-carene emissions from laboratory OSB were 60% and 35% lower than that of controls after 4 and 2 days of microbial pre-treatment, respectively. At the same time, α-pinene emissions were reduced by 85% and 45%, while β-pinene emissions were completely absent. Δ3-carene degradation was no longer observed at a short-term treatment of only 1 day. However, laccase in the presence of a redox mediator may overcome this limitation by oxidation of Δ3-carene to non-volatile carenones. The results revealed the potential of biotechnology for reducing potentially harmful terpene emissions from wood products.