Characterization of Odors of Wood by Gas Chromatography-Olfactometry with Removal of Extractives as Attempt to Control Indoor Air Quality.

Ru Liu,Bin Lv,Chen Wang,Anmin Huang

doi:10.3390/molecules23010203

Abstract

Indoor air quality problems are usually revealed by occupants’ complaints. In this study, the odors of two types of hardwood species, namely, Cathy poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) and rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) were selected and extracted with ethanol-toluene for removal of extractives in an attempt to eliminate the odors. The odorous components of neat and extracted woods were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O). The results showed that about 33 kinds of key volatile compounds (peak area above 0.2%) were detected from the GC-MS, and about 40 kinds of odorants were identified from GC-O. The components were concentrated between 15 and 33 min in GC-O, which was different from the concentration time in GC-MS. Lots of the odors identified from GC-O were unpleasant to humans, and variously described as stinky, burnt, leather, bug, herb, etc. These odors may originate from the thermos-oxidation of wood components. After extraction, the amounts and intensities of some odorants decreased, while some remained. However, the extraction process resulted in a benzene residue and led to increased benzene odor.

Highlights

IntroductionOdor has a direct effect on human behaviors and can significantly affect the quality of life [1]
Odor has a direct effect on human behaviors and can significantly affect the quality of life [1].It certainly plays an important role in human attractions, memories, and emotions, and can be described as pleasant, unpleasant, or indifferent [2]
The aim of this study was to investigate the odors of the two kinds of wood and whether the extraction can be a good method to eliminate the odor, which is important for the controlling of indoor air quality

Summary

Introduction

Odor has a direct effect on human behaviors and can significantly affect the quality of life [1]. It certainly plays an important role in human attractions, memories, and emotions, and can be described as pleasant, unpleasant, or indifferent [2]. Odor is one of many important factors for indoor air quality. The indoor air quality is strongly affected by volatile compounds emitted from materials such as furniture, carpet, textile, plant and humans [3,4,5]. The odor of wood is often described as pleasant with positive associations, some people are hypersensitive to certain species like padauk

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