Color change and termite resistance of fast-growing tropical woods treated with kesambi (Schleichera oleosa) smoke

Abstract

Smoke treatment can be used to enhance wood resistance to subterranean termite attack. In this study, kesambi (Schleichera oleosa) wood was pyrolyzed to produce charcoal. The smoke produced as a by-product of pyrolysis was used to treat sengon (Falcataria moluccana), jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba), mangium (Acacia mangium), and pine (Pinus merkusii) wood samples for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Following the smoke treatment, the wood specimens were exposed to subterranean termites (Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren) according to the Indonesian standard 7207-2014 in a laboratory. The color change caused by smoke treatment was observed, and chemical analysis of smoke was also done. The results showed that chemical compounds of kesambi smoke predominantly consisted of acetic acid, phenol, ketones, amines, and benzene. The color of smoked wood became darker, less yellow, and a little redder, while a longer smoking period produced a darker color which was more resistant to termite attack. Smoke treatment enhanced the resistance of wood to subterranean termite attack, and the resistance levels were not significantly different based on the duration of the smoke treatment.

Evaluation of Color Change and Biodeterioration Resistance of Gewang (Corypha utan Lamk.) Wood

“…These findings revealed that smoke treatment for samples resulted in different colors (ΔE more than 12) compared with unsmoked samples. In a previous work, similar results for mangium and sengon smoked woods were determined [12,22], Ishiguri et al [25] also determined that wood samples Based on the results displayed in Table 5, unsmoked and smoked samples were significantly different from each other in terms of their L* and b* values. Smoke treatment resulted in samples with a darker color, as indicated by an L* value of smoked wood that decreased to become half of the value of the unsmoked wood.…”

“…These findings revealed that smoke treatment for samples resulted in different colors (∆E more than 12) compared with unsmoked samples. In a previous work, similar results for mangium and sengon smoked woods were determined [12,22], Ishiguri et al [25] also determined that wood samples treated with smoke for 200 h showed significant discoloration having deeper color those of exposed of smoke for 100 h.…”

“…It seems that smoke treatment did not affect the density of the samples because the precipitated smoke on the wood surface was very small which was not sufficient to influence the density increment [22]. The density values of unsmoked samples are illustrated in Figure 3.…”

“…Regarding the smoke treatment of the samples, termite mortality of control samples ranged from 63.6 to 71.2%, while smoked specimens had complete termite mortality. In the case of kesambi samples exposed to smoke, acetic acid was produced, followed by phenol, ketones, amines and benzene, and such chemicals created a toxic environment for the termite [22]. These chemicals also could precipitate on the samples, resulting in their discoloration.…”

Efficacy of fumigation Medang wood (Chinnamomum javanicum) at different times against Schizophyllum commune Fries fungus

“…Penelitian Bian et al (2015) menyatakan kondisi asap dalam proses pengasapan dipenga ruhi oleh bahan baku, panas dan pengaturan nyala api. Suhu yang baik digunakan dalam proses pengasapan adalah 80 o C -90 o C. Hadi et al (2020b) meneliti pengaruh lama pengasapan pada empat jenis kayu yaitu kayu sengon (Falcataria moluccana), kayu mangium (Acacia mangium), kayu pinus (Pinus merkusii) dan kayu jabon (Anthocephalus cadamba) terhadap perubahan warna kayu dan menguji keawetan kayu dari serangan rayap tanah Coptotermes curvignathus Holmgren. Lama pengasapan yang digunakan meliputi 1 minggu, 2 minggu dan 3 minggu.…”