TH E E FFE C T O F PR E T R E A T M E N T O F W O O D CIIIPS W 1TH W H IT E RO T FU N G I O N B E A T IN G PE R F O R M A N C E A N D ST R E N G T H PR O PE R T IE S OF PO L Y SU L PH ID E A N T R A -Q U IN O N K R A FT PU L P

Pretreatm ent of softw ood chips w ith lignin degrading fungi was carried out and its effect on polysulphide antraquinon kraft pulping (PSA Q ) vvas studied. T he pretreatm ent involved a 2-w eek incubation o f C alabrian pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) chips w ith tw o strains (C Z-3 and FP 90031-sp) of the vvhite rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvernıispora. Focus vvas on the Chemical liquor consunıption during PSA Q pulping, kappa num ber, yield, beating perform ance and the physical strength properties of evolved handsheets. In general, the fungus vvas found to be suitable for biokraft pulping of C alabrian pine. Fungal treatm ent reduced the active alkali requirem ent up to 14 % and increased the total pulp yield up to 5% vvith higher kappa num ber com pared to the control. T he tw o strains produced about the sam e results for beating perform ances of pulp, hovvever and pretreated pulp vvas slightly resistant to beating. In term s of sheet properties, the quality o f the resultant biopulp sheet strengths such as tensile, burst and tear vvas better than that of the control at the sam e freeness level. T hus, fungal pretreatm ent is advantageous for PSA Q kraft pulp.