Investigations on the durability of several Congo basin wood species

IRG/WP 15-10840

S Mounguengui, J-B Tchinda Saha, M Kor Ndikontar, S Dumarçay, C Attéké, D Perrin, E Gelhaye,

The sawdust of ten wood species was studied to assess their natural resistance to decay. The extractives and lignin contents were primarily determined (between 2.7-16.0% and 26.8-35.9% respectively) to give an overview of the chemical distribution. Then, a phytochemical screening (colorimetric methods) characterized the different chemical functional groups in all extracts studied. Antioxidant activity indicated values comprised between 18 and 175 µmol AAE/µg of extract correlated to total phenolic content which were comprised between 51 and 935 mg eq. of gallic acid/g of extract. The resistance to decay of extracted and unextracted sawdust against the two white-rot fungi was evaluated and showed that extractives amounts and compositions partially influenced wood durability.


Keywords: durability, antioxidant, extractives, phytochemical screening, growth inhibition, fungi, wood

Conference: 15-05-10/14 Vina del Mar, Chile


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