Abstract

Industrial logs of Pinus radiata were treated with a type of WDF, Pleurotus sp in this research. Two treatments were made, one with the fungi and another one as control. The treatments were made at 75% of wood humidity. During the experience, and to know the evolution of chemical composition of the wood, classic determinations were made for lignin and holocellulose. To compare the treatments, the following pulp characteristics were evaluated: yields, Kappa index and viscosity. After delignification with O2, there was a C/D-Eo-D-Ep-D bleaching sequence and papers were refined to 25°SR. The refining energy was controlled, and properties were determined as tensile energy, tear index and TEA. Pleurotus sp has an active delignification action and its simultaneously leaves more residual hemicellulose, compared with the control. Pleurotus sp for Kraft biopulping, has the best yield, lowest Kappa and the highest viscosity. The bleaching process is more economic for biopulps, with better yields and higher brightness levels. For biopulp-derived white papers, the values of tensile energy, tear and TEA are more important with fewer expenses on refining energy.