Bio-based Preservative using Methyl-β-cyclodextrin-Essential Oil Complexes for Wood Protection.

Developing natural preservatives for wood protection is of great interest in sustainable construction and green building industries. This study was designed to determine the feasibility of using methyl-β-cyclodextrin-essential oils (MβCD-EOs) complexes as potential bio-based preservatives for wood protection. Four essential oils (EOs) with proven antifungal properties, eugenol (EG), trans-cinnamaldehyde (CN), thymol (TM) and carvacrol (CV), were complexed with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) by a co-precipitation method.

How nano-wollastonite can change the fundamental properties of a wood fibre and rice straw composites?

The potential of using rice straw (RS) in combination with wood fibre in the production of medium density fibreboard was investigated. Nano-wollastonite (NW) was added to some of the panels to determine if it would enhance the physical and mechanical properties. It was found that satisfactory composite boards could be made with the addition of 10% RS to the wood fibre.

Gene expression analysis of copper tolerance and wood decay in the brown rot fungus Fibroporia radiculosa.

High-throughput transcriptomics was used to identify Fibroporia radiculosa genes that were differentially regulated during colonization of wood treated with a copper-based preservative. The transcriptome was profiled at two time points while the fungus was growing on wood treated with micronized copper quat (MCQ). A total of 917 transcripts were differentially expressed.

Fungicidal values of bio-oils and their lignin-rich fractions obtained from wood/bark fast pyrolysis.

Pine wood, pine bark, oak wood and oak bark were pyrolyzed in an auger reactor. A total of 16 bio-oils or pyrolytic oils were generated at different temperatures and residence times. Two additional pine bio-oils were produced at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in a fluidized-bed reactor at different temperatures.

A brief review of the past, present and future of wood preservation.

Wood products used in exterior applications must be protected against biodeterioration by decay fungi, insects such as termites, and other organisms. Traditionally, wood products for residential or industrial applications have been protected by treatment with chromated copper arsenate (CCA) or older inexpensive organic biocides, but environmental and disposal concerns and governmental regulations have resulted in a rapid and dramatic worldwide shift to copper-based systems. The current development trend is towards employing totally organic biocides based on relatively benign and expensive agrochemicals, with continuing research directed towards developing non-biocidal methods to protect wood.

Development of environmentally-benign wood preservatives based on the combination of organic biocides with antioxidants and metal chelators.

Wood extractives can be envisaged to protect heartwood by at least three different mechanisms, i.e. fungicide, free radical scavengers/antioxidants and as metal chelators.