Relationship between attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of western juniper and natural resistance to fungal and termite attack

Abstract

Wood extractives are considered the major factor determining the natural durability of wood. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was assessed for rapid determination of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook. var. occidentalis) durability based on extractives in heartwood, sapwood-heartwood and sapwood regions. Durability was assessed by exposing samples to brown-rot decay fungi [Gloeophyllum trabeum (Pers.) Murrill and Rhodonia placenta (Fr.) Niemelä, K.H. Larss. & Schigel] or eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes Kollar). Durability classifications were compared to their extractive contents, along with ATR-FTIR spectra of extracted and unextracted blocks to establish relationships using hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA). Western juniper durability varied with test organisms, but the majority of samples had high fungal and termite resistance. Moderate to weak connections were observed between durability and extractive content, but HCA and PCA analysis were unable to classify durability with accuracy. The absence of non-resistant samples may have influenced the ability of the chemometric methods to accurately categorize durability.

Effects of loblolly pine extract, primary and quaternary alkyl ammonium chlorides combined with burgundy oil from eastern red cedar against subterranean termites and wood-decay fungi

“…A no-choice bioassay based on studies described by Kard and Mallette (1997), Konemann et al (2014), Eller et al (2018), andLipeh et al (2020) was used to evaluate resistance of the treated wood test samples. Resistance was evaluated based on wood mass loss and termite mortality.…”

Investigations of the Chemical Distribution in Sorbitol and Citric Acid (SorCA) Treated Wood—Development of a Quality Control Method on the Basis of Electromagnetic Radiation

“…The measurement technique is based on the presence of particular chemical bonds, which vibrate if the frequency of the fundamental molecular vibration correlates with the frequency of the IR radiation [32]. It has been successfully used to distinguish between wood species and their geographical origin [33], detect the growth of decay fungi and mould in wood [34] or establish a relationship between extractive content and the natural durability of wood [35].…”

Utilization of the western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) in strandboards to improve the decay resistance

“…Substantial residual juniper foliage can be generated during harvesting with little utilizable value; however, juniper foliage is a rich source of biocidal terpenes, some of which impart durability to juniper heartwood (Acda et al 1998). Extracts of juniper foliage and heartwood have activity against fungi and subterranean termites (Adams et al 1988;Sichamba et al 2012;Ateş et al 2015;Scouse et al 2015;Lipeh et al 2020). Impregnating juniper wood with juniper essential oil diluted in a solvent to improve the decay-resistance of slabs/branches (primarily sapwood) can be an avenue to utilize the entire tree in the manufacture of a highly decay-resistant strandboard.…”