Abstract 2516 Quantifying acetylation-induced changes in the plant secondary cell wall structure and dynamics

Lignin and carbohydrate rich secondary plant cell walls are abundantly available in the biosphere, and is a notable renewable feedstock for biofuels, biomaterials with wide applicability. Particularly for construction applications, long-lived wood that is resistant to fungal degradation is highly desirable. Chemical modifications, such as acetylation, have been successfully demonstrated inhibit wood breakdown. X-ray fluorescence microscopy experiments have determined that acetylation hinders fungal attack by reducing moisture content while other experiments examining moisture-induced wood damage mechanisms observed that chemical transport through cell walls is reduced after acetylation.