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Ultrastructural implications of gamma-irradiation of wood

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Summary

An attempt is made in this study to relate the gamma-irradiation induced degradation of wood samples to their lignin content and distribution in the cell wall. Samples of Douglas-fir and yellow-poplar were submitted to increasing doses of gamma-irradiation and subsequently extracted with a dilute NaOH solution or with DMSO, prior to SEM observation. Other samples were observed in TEM. The irradiation-extraction procedure degraded the hardwood more than the softwood. In both species, the middle lamella was more resistant than the secondary wall. The S3 layer in Douglas-fir and the warty layer in yellow-poplar appeared to be more resistant than the other secondary wall layers. Some difference was also observed in radiation stability between tracheids or fibres and ray cells. This procedure is suggested as a method for studying lignin distribution in the wood cell wall.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Laboratoire Forestier Université Catholique de Louvain, Place Croix du Sud 2, B.P. 4, B-1348, Louvain-La-Neuve, Belgique

    B. de Lhoneux & R. Antoine

  2. College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse Campus, N. C. Brown Center for Ultrastructure Study State University of New York, 13210, Syracuse, NY, USA

    W. A. Côté

Authors
  1. B. de Lhoneux
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  2. R. Antoine
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  3. W. A. Côté
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Additional information

This research was conducted as part of a thesis submitted by the first author in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master of Science degree at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York. The authors wish to thank Dr. John A. Meyer who carried out the irradiation procedure. The first author also whishes to express gratitude to the Belgian American Educational Foundation, Inc., The Fondation Francqui and Mister Charles Berolzheimer, Research Director of the California Cedar Products Company, for having provided financial support for this study

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de Lhoneux, B., Antoine, R. & Côté, W.A. Ultrastructural implications of gamma-irradiation of wood. Wood Sci. Technol. 18, 161–176 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367531

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00367531

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