Biochemistry of the wood-rotting fungi

In an examination ofthe volatile metabolic products of the odoriferous fungus Lentinuoa lepideu Fr., Birkinshaw & Findlay (1940) identified the methyl esters of p-methoxycinnamic, and cinnamic acids.Another acid, anisic acid, was also present as an ester but the nature of the alcohol moiety was left undetermined, although it was considered that the ester was probably the methyl ester.Another wood-rotting fungus which possesses a characteristic odour is Trametea uaveolenw (Linn.)Fr.This fungus is frequently responsible for decay in willow trees.