• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.458-471
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• 2020

Effect of pre-treatment and compression ratio on specific gravity (SG) and dimensional stability improvement of three lesser-used wood species from natural forest area of North Kalimantan Province, Indonesia had been investigated. Hot soaking at 80℃ for 3 hours within 2 and 5% of boron solution was applied as pre-treatment, while compression ratio applied was 20 and 40% from the initial thickness. Densification was conducted using hot pressing machine at 30 kg/㎠ of pressure and 160℃ of temperature for 15 minutes. Specific gravity was measured gravimetrically, while dimensional stability was evaluated through thickness swelling and water absorption as the indicator. Results show that SG of densified wood was influenced by wood species and compression ratio, but not by pre-treatment applied; while dimensional stability was influenced by wood species, compression ratio, and pre-treatment. Specific gravity and water absorption of densified wood was improved significantly. Specific gravity increased 28.86-63.03%, while water absorption decreased 12.80-15.89%. Thickness swelling of 20% densified wood was lower than that of 40% densified wood.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.617-632
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the anatomical structure and fiber quality of four lesser-used wood species namely Benuang (O. sumatrana), Duabanga (D. moluccana), Pisang Merah (H. hellwigii), and Terap (A. odoratissimus). This study evaluated its suitability for raw material in pulp and paper manufacturing. The anatomical structure was observed macro- and microscopically. Macroscopic structures were observed directly to the wood samples, while microscopic characteristics were observed through microtome specimens. Fiber dimension was measured through macerated specimens and fiber quality was analyzed following the Rachman and Siagian's method. Results showed that these four timber species have similarity in the indistinct growth ring, diffuse porous in a radial pattern, rounded solitary vessel outline, 1 to 3 cells of ray width, deposits within the rays, fiber length, and cell wall thickness. Differences were found on vessel diameter, vessel grouping, vessel frequency, tyloses existence, type of axial parenchyma, and ray height. Based on fiber length and its derived values, the wood fibers of all species studied are suitable for pulp and paper manufacturing. They belong to the II quality class. The produced pulp and paper would have good quality, especially in tensile, folding, and tear strength. To promote their utilization, silviculture aspect of these four species has to be well understood.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2023

Properties of a lesser-used wood species were investigated to determine its potential for structural utilization. Trees of Delonix regia were felled and sampled at the base, middle and top and then sectioned to inner wood, middle wood, and outer wood for variation across the axial and radial directions. Hence, selected physical and mechanical properties as well as natural durability of D. regia along the radial and axial directions were examined. Obtained data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at α_0.05. There was no significant difference in the Moisture content (MC) of the wood but specific gravity (SG) decreased from base to top ranging from 0.35-0.44. Water absorption, volumetric swelling, and volumetric shrinkage range from 46.18-51.86%, 2.57-4.02%, and 2.26-3.96% respectively along the axial plane. The weight loss for graveyard exposure and accelerated laboratory decay test ranged from 25.14-48.00% and 32.02-44.45% respectively. Modulus of Rupture and Modulus of Elasticity values range from 29.42-72.68 Nmm² and 3,834.54-8,830.37 Nmm² respectively. The SG values has confirmed the species as a medium density wood and values of other properties tested showed that the wood is dimensional stable and moderately resistance to fungi and termite. Hence, it could be used for light construction purposes such as furniture and other interior woodwork.

• Mycobiology
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.138-146
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• 2018

Two-hundred and fifty-five strains of actinomycetes isolated from soil samples were screened for their antagonistic activities against four well-known wood decay fungi (WDF), including a brown rot fungus, Gloeophyllum trabeum and three white rot fungi Donkioporia expansa, Trametes versicolor, and Schizophyllum commune. A dual culture assay using culture media supplemented with heated or unheated culture filtrates of selected bacterial strains was used for the detection of their antimicrobial activity against four WDF. It was shown that Streptomyces atratus, S. tsukiyonensis, and Streptomyces sp. greatly inhibited the mycelial growth of the WDF tested compared with the control. To evaluate the biocontrol efficacy of S. atratus, S. tsukiyonensis, and Streptomyces sp., wood blocks of Pinus densiflora inoculated with three selected Streptomyces isolates were tested for weight loss, compression strength (perpendicular or parallel to the grain), bending strength, and chemical component changes. Of these three isolates used, Streptomyces sp. exhibited higher inhibitory activity against WDF, especially G. trabeum, as observed in mechanical and chemical change analyses. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cell walls of the wood block treated with Streptomyces strains were thicker and collapsed to a lesser extent than those of the non-treated control. Taken together, our findings indicate that Streptomyces sp. exhibits the potential to be used as a biocontrol agent for wood decay brown rot fungus that causes severe damage to coniferous woods.