Conifer wood

Koniferenholz, n. conifer wood, softwood. Konig, m. regulus king. 

The phenanthrene/anthracene series is shown in Fig. 7 and the major peak in the m/z 234 trace has the retention index of retene which is generally derived from conifer wood burning. Sometimes there is a triplet of peaks in the same C4 plot due to benzonaphthothiophenes (C10H16S) which are components of some... 

Petty JA and Puritch GS (1970) The effects of drying on the structure and permeability of the viooAof Abies grandis. Wood Science and Technology, 4(2) 140-54 Petty JA (1972) The aspiration of bordered pits in conifer wood. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London, B 757(1065) 395-406... 

TK Kirk, TL Highley. Quantitative changes in structural components of conifer woods during decay by white- and brown-rot fungi. Phytopathology 55 739-745, 1973. 

Naturally Occurring Substances.— Tall oil, obtained as a by-product of pulping conifer wood chips, contains a mixture of fatty and diterpenoid resin acids and neutral compounds. The latter include" pimara-8(14),15-diene-3/S,18-diol, abieta-8,ll,13-triene-15,18-diol, 19-hydroxy-15,16-bisnorlabda-8(17)-en-13-one, 8,13i8-epoxylabd-14-en-6a-ol (6a-hydroxy-13-epimanoyl oxide), and the 9,10-secoabietatriene (41). The latter was also isolated from the bark of the jack pine (Pinus banksiana) and western white pine (P. monticola). A range of 7-monohydroxy, 1,7- and 1,11-dihydroxy-, and 1,7,11-trihydroxy-sandaraco-pimaradienes and their acetates (42) have been obtained" from Zexmenia (Compositae) species. The l,ll-diacetoxy-7-ketone and 6,7-epoxide were also isolated. 

Figure 14. Examples of decomposition in archaeological woods. Bar = 5 pm. KMnO4 fixation, (a) Conifer wood from northern Minnesota, PUlsbury site, buried by silt for more than 10,000 years. Cells do not have a rigid structure, and carbohydrates have been removed from the cell wall. The decay pattern is similar to advanced stages of brown rot. No evidence of fungi or other...

The quantification of the mobility of different cations in various types of wood, i.e. ring- and diffuse-porous as well as conifer wood. 

The blue stain disease of conifers causes the death of more than 40 million trees a year in Western Canada where the mountain pine beetle is the vector of the disease. The microflora associated with the mountain pine beetle consists of several species of yeasts and mycelial fungi. Four species of the genus Ceratocystis have consistently been isolated from stained conifer wood C. clavigera, C. huntii, C. ips, and C. minor. Fungi of this genus are also responsible for the oak wilt and Dutch elm diseases (9). 

Conifer wood, balm trees, citrus fruits, coriander, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon grass, lilies, carnation, caraway, peppermint species, roses, rosemary, sage, thyme, violet and many other plants or parts of those (roots, rhizomes, stems, leaves, blossoms, fruits, seed) are well known to smell pleasantly, to taste spicy, or to exhibit specific pharmacological activities. Terpenes predominantly shape these properties. In order to enrich terpenes, the plants are carved, e.g. for the production of incense or myrrh from balm trees usually, however, terpenes are extracted or steam distilled, e.g. for the recovery of the precious oil of the blossoms of specific fragrant roses. These extracts and steam distillates, known as ethereal or essential oils ("essence absolue") are used to create fine perfumes, to refine the flavor and the aroma of food and drinks and to produce medicines of plant origin (phytopharmaca). 

Sensitivity to colophony (standard series) and turpentine peroxides can uncover allergies to several conifers. Wood tars are sold by Trolab and Chemotechnique. Balsams of pine and spruce can be obtained from Trolab. Pine wood, pine tar and beech tar are sold y Chemotechnique... 

Hergert H L 1960 Chemical composition of tannins and polyphenols from conifer wood and bark. Forest Prod J 10 610-617... 

The fragrant components of the major conifer woods are summarized in Table 9.1.2 (11, 18). Since larger amounts of these essential oils are formed when the living tree is wounded, it is presumed that they protect the tree and preserve it from decay, repel insects, act as a waterproofing, etc. Some of these components emitted from the leaves into the atmosphere act as phytocides, the so-called green showers that are coming into popular concern. The odors of the hardwoods are more varied than those of conifer woods. Some species are used for... 

Table 9.1.2. Main odor constituents of some conifer woods...

Solvent drying of conifer woods with water-miscible solvents such as acetone, however, remains economically unfavorable because of solvent losses and energy requirements. A limited quantity of perfumery-grade pine needle oil can be obtained from a few Pinus species, but the needle oils from most species too closely resemble turpentines to command the premium prices that would justify the production costs. Although the rosins that could be derived from needles of many pines are essentially similar to the xylem rosins, the needle rosins from other species are of unusual composition. Such rosins could be the source of specialty fine chemicals but would not have any significant impact on rosin as a commodity material. The composition of the resin acids in pine needles may be an important characteristic in chemoteixonomic and genetic studies (18). 

Compounds which have been reported to induce microsomal enzymes include barbiturates and non-barbiturate sedatives, antihistaminics. analgesics, anti-inflammatory compounds, halogenated hydrocarbon insecticides, certain carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons, and most recently, aromatic constituents of certain conifer woods. Based on differences in their profile of biologic effects, most of these agents can be placed into one of three general groups (1) the phenobarbital type, (2) the polycyclic hydrocarbon type and (3) anabolic steroids. 

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