Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum

Intarsia was an art form popular between the 15th–18th centuries that used wood pigmented by spalting fungi to create detailed landscapes, portraits, and other imagery. These fungi are still used today in art but are also finding relevance in material science as elements of solar cells, te...

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Main Authors: Sarath M. Vega Gutierrez, Kenya K. Hazell, John Simonsen, Seri C. Robinson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2018-07-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/8/1905
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author Sarath M. Vega Gutierrez
Kenya K. Hazell
John Simonsen
Seri C. Robinson
author_facet Sarath M. Vega Gutierrez
Kenya K. Hazell
John Simonsen
Seri C. Robinson
author_sort Sarath M. Vega Gutierrez
collection DOAJ
description Intarsia was an art form popular between the 15th–18th centuries that used wood pigmented by spalting fungi to create detailed landscapes, portraits, and other imagery. These fungi are still used today in art but are also finding relevance in material science as elements of solar cells, textile dyes, and paint colorants. Here we show that the spalting fungus Scytalidium cuboideum (Sacc. and Ellis) Sigler and Kang produces a red/pink pigment that forms two distinct colors of crystals (red and orange)—a very rare occurrence. In addition, a second structure of the crystal is proved through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This is only the second instance of a stable, naphthoquinone crystal produced by a fungus. Its discovery is particularly valuable for solar cell development, as crystalline materials have a higher electrical conductivity. Other fungi in this order have shown strong potential as thin films for solar cells.
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spelling doaj.art-bca6ab98a39e4af39f04bfb84fbad4b22022-12-22T00:13:09ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492018-07-01238190510.3390/molecules23081905molecules23081905Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideumSarath M. Vega Gutierrez0Kenya K. Hazell1John Simonsen2Seri C. Robinson3Wood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USAWood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USAWood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USAWood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USAIntarsia was an art form popular between the 15th–18th centuries that used wood pigmented by spalting fungi to create detailed landscapes, portraits, and other imagery. These fungi are still used today in art but are also finding relevance in material science as elements of solar cells, textile dyes, and paint colorants. Here we show that the spalting fungus Scytalidium cuboideum (Sacc. and Ellis) Sigler and Kang produces a red/pink pigment that forms two distinct colors of crystals (red and orange)—a very rare occurrence. In addition, a second structure of the crystal is proved through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). This is only the second instance of a stable, naphthoquinone crystal produced by a fungus. Its discovery is particularly valuable for solar cell development, as crystalline materials have a higher electrical conductivity. Other fungi in this order have shown strong potential as thin films for solar cells.http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/8/1905organic crystalnaphthoquinoneScytalidium cuboideumXRDTEMNMR
spellingShingle Sarath M. Vega Gutierrez
Kenya K. Hazell
John Simonsen
Seri C. Robinson
Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum
Molecules
organic crystal
naphthoquinone
Scytalidium cuboideum
XRD
TEM
NMR
title Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum
title_full Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum
title_fullStr Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum
title_full_unstemmed Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum
title_short Description of a Naphthoquinonic Crystal Produced by the Fungus Scytalidium cuboideum
title_sort description of a naphthoquinonic crystal produced by the fungus scytalidium cuboideum
topic organic crystal
naphthoquinone
Scytalidium cuboideum
XRD
TEM
NMR
url http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/23/8/1905
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