Antimicrobial activity and influence of wood extractives concentration on the heritage wood properties

Mahmoud, Naglaa; Ismaila, Samah; Abdel-aziz, Mohamed; Dacrory, Sawsan

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2024.256974.9010

Antimicrobial activity and influence of wood extractives concentration on the heritage wood properties

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Conservation Department, Faculty of Archeology, Fayoum University

² National Research Center, Dokki St. Giza

³ cellulose and paper, chemical industries, NRC

10.21608/ejchem.2024.256974.9010

Abstract

Developing new eco-friendly wood preservatives resistant to fungal and bacterial attacks is a primary industrial goal. Wood extractives play a crucial role in wood protection against microbial deterioration. This study investigated the impact of wood extractive concentration on heritage wood properties. An experimental wood sample of the same species of heritage wood (Pinus pinea L) has been selected to run the investigation before and after exposure to heat at 100 °C for 48 hours to mimic the wood aging that has taken place over many years. Extraction was performed using different solvents (benzene/methanol, ethyl acetate, n-hexan, and distilled water). Chemical composition, morphological structure, and thermal degradation were investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The mechanical properties of wood have been studied before and after heat treatment to determine the impact of extractive shortages on wood properties. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of wood extractives was investigated against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, and fungal test strains.

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