Wood Chemical Components Research Articles

Characteristics of Simalambuo (Lophopetalum sp.) wood from Nias Island, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia

Abstract. Iswanto AH, Amanda DW, Gea S, Susilowati A, Fatriasari W, Darwis A, Lubis MAR, Sucipto T, Syahidah, Subekti N, Hartono R, Sutiawan J, Hidayat W, Kim NH. 2023. Characteristics of Simalambuo (Lophopetalum sp.) wood from Nias Island, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 4193-4201. Simalambuo (Lophopetalum sp.) wood is commonly used for construction materials in Nias Island, North Sumatra Province especially in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that affected the region. However, information regarding the fundamental characteristics of this wood has not been available. Therefore, this research aimed to evaluate the basic properties of Simalambuo wood, such as its physical, mechanical, chemical, and natural durability. The destructive method was used to determine the physical and mechanical parameters (i.e., specific gravity, moisture content, shrinkage, MOE, MOR, and hardness) using a small clear specimen sample under the BS 373 standard (1957). The chemical components of wood (i.e., holocellulose, cellulose, lignin, extractives) were analyzed using a variety of methods, including CRC Press methods, LAP NREL 003 standard, and TAPPI. Meanwhile, the SNI 7207-2014 standard was utilized to evaluate its resistance against subterranean termites. The results showed that Simalambuo wood has an average specific gravity of 0.42 and a T/R ratio of 1.78. Based on its specific gravity, the wood is classified within the strength class III-IV. It also exhibits a reduced cellulose and extractive content, along with a higher proportion of lignin. In terms of durability, it is classified as class IV, implying non-resistance to termites’ attack and necessitating wood preservation treatment for its practical application. The findings of this study suggest the application of this wood is recommended for light construction, furniture, and other functions, but not for heavy construction.

Clarifying the decay process by Inonotus obliquus in Japanese white birch naturally grown in Nikko, Japan

Abstract Decay process of wood of Japanese white birch [Betula platyphylla Sukaczev var. japonica (Miq.) H. Hara] tree by Inonotus obliquus (Fr.) Pilát was clarified by using the regression model in wood color and chemical components as a function of height position (1, 2, 3, and 4 m above the ground), wood type (sound wood and decayed wood), and their interactions, and anatomical observations. The 3 m height position, at which a sclerotium of I. obliquus was found, showed the highest decayed area percentage among four height positions. By the results of two-way analysis of variance, wood type affected all color indice. In addition, all factors (height position, wood type, and their interaction) were significant in all wood chemical components except for Klason lignin and hemicellulose. In the wood of the reaction zone, some substances were formed in the lumens of many vessels and a few wood fibers. Based on the results, we proposed the decay process of I. obliquus in naturally grown Japanese white birch, and the proposed process will contribute to a full understanding of the interactions between I. obliquus and Japanese white birch in the future.

Classification of Amazonian fast-growing tree species and wood chemical determination by FTIR and multivariate analysis (PLS-DA, PLS)

Fast-growing trees like Capirona, Bolaina, and Pashaco have the potential to reduce forest degradation because of their ecological features, the economic importance in the Amazon Forest, and an industry based on wood-polymer composites. Therefore, a practical method to discriminate specie (to avoid illegal logging) and determine chemical composition (tree breeding programs) is needed. This study aimed to validate a model for the classification of wood species and a universal model for the rapid determination of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin using FTIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics. Our results showed that PLS-DA models for the classification of wood species (0.84 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.91, 0.12 ≤ RMSEP ≤ 0.20, accuracy, specificity, and sensibility between 95.2 and 100%) were satisfied with the full spectra and the differentiation among these species based on IR peaks related to cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose. Besides, the full spectra helped build a three-species universal PLS model to quantify the principal wood chemical components. Lignin (RPD = 2.27, {R}_{c}^{2} = 0.84) and hemicellulose (RPD = 2.46, {R}_{c}^{2} = 0.83) models showed a good prediction, while cellulose model (RPD = 3.43, {R}_{c}^{2} = 0.91) classified as efficient. This study showed that FTIR-ATR, together with chemometrics, is a reliable method to discriminate wood species and to determine the wood chemical composition in juvenile trees of Pashaco, Capirona, and Bolaina.

Synergistic improvement to dimensional stability of Populus cathay ana via hemicellulose removal/alkali lignin impregnation

Abstract Poor dimensional stability restricts the commercial utilization of fast-growing wood. In this study, fast-growing poplar (Populus cathayana) was treated by removing hemicellulose with hydrothermal treatment and impregnating alkali lignin via full-cell process, synergistically, for enhanced dimensional stability. After modification, hydroxyl groups were reduced in hemicellulose removed wood (DHC), alkali lignin was observed to fill in the cell lumens of vessels and wood fibers in the impregnated wood (AL) and in the wood modified by hemicellulose removal with alkali lignin impregnation (DHCAL). Compared with untreated wood, the volumetric swelling ratio of DHC and AL decreased by 11 % and 21 % under relative humidity (RH) of 89 %, respectively. The volumetric swelling ratio of DHCAL decreased by over 50 %, indicating a positive synergistic effect. The combination of hemicellulose removal and alkali lignin impregnation treatment improved the dimensional stability of wood significantly by reconstructing wood chemical components with various levels of hygroscopicity. This work could meaningfully contribute to the efficient utilization of fast-growing wood and promote the added value of industrial alkali lignin.

Selectively enzymatic conversion of wood constituents with white and brown rot fungi

Lignocellulosic material is a natural renewable resource and can provide great potential in bioconversion and bioenergy production. This work studied the bioconversion processes of Pinus yunnanensis with white and brown rot fungi treatment, namely T. versicolor, G. trabeum and R. placenta, aiming to clarify the mechanism of enzymatic process and fungi’s intrinsic selectivity in fungal pretreatment during various conversion stages. The results showed that fungi achieved the decomposition and conversion of biomass through the generation of enzymes as well as their action within wood. White rot fungus T. versicolor caused simultaneous rot, which the bioconversion of wood main components occurred uniformly. Brown rot fungi exhibited the ability to depolymerize carbohydrate but degraded polysaccharides with their own bioconversion pathway, and as such caused different conversion of wood chemical components. Morphology observation proved that both white and brown rot fungal pretreatments increased the porosity and improved the accessibility of wood cells. Three kinds of fungi possess the ability to improve the digestibility, but with various situations of the substrate loss. In addition, these three fungi presented their promising potentials in different aspects as well. The research outcomes could provide insight into the mechanism of enzymatic process and role of fungal selectivity on Pinus yunnanensis bioconversion as well as the potential application of fungal pretreatment in future biorefineries and biochemical productions.

Characterisation of the Chemical Composition of Aningeria robusta: A. Chev WOOD

The study was carried out to assess the chemical composition of Aningeria robusta wood. Two stands of Aningeria robusta were purposely sampled for felling at The National Forestry Resources Research Institute (NAFORRI), Kifu, Uganda. From each felled tree, samples were taken at the base, middle and top portions of the merchantable height and were later partitioned into core wood, middle wood and outer wood across the radial plane. A split plot statistical method was used to test the significance of the variability in the wood chemical components examined at a 5% level of probability. A followup Duncan Multiple Ranged Test was also carried out to further examine the extent of significance. The results showed that the mean value for cellulose content was 46.78%, with a consistent pattern of variation occurring both along the tree and across the radical plane. Also, a significant effect was noticed radially and axially. The lignin content had a mean value of 22.20%. It ranged from 20.48 to 23.04%, with an increasing pattern of variation from base to top and core wood to outer wood. The extractive content mean value was 5.0%. It ranged from 4.25 to 5.65%, increasing steadily from base to top and from core wood to outer wood. There was significant effect at P=0.05, both along and across the tree. The results obtained from the research study shows that the percentage chemical composition of Aningeria robusta is satisfactory for a typical hardwood species. The chemical components in the main vary in a consistent pattern both in axial and radial directions. The rich cellulose base of A. robusta wood makes it a good potential resource for paper-making furnishing. Therefore, wood Aningeria robusta should be explored for the chemical production of pulp for papermaking. The significant content of extractive in A. robusta also suggests conferment of natural durability to the wood. Hence, A. robusta wood can be recommended for structural application as suitable substitute for such known wood species as Milicia excelsa and Tectona grandis that are fast going into extinction due to over-exploitation.

Among-family variations of direct measurement values for chemical and pulp properties in 4-year-old Eucalyptus camaldulensis half-sib families in Thailand

Abstract Amounts of wood chemical components (organic solvent extracts, Klason lignin, and holocellulose) and kraft pulp characteristics (yield and kappa number) were directly determined for 32 trees from eight half-sib Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. families in second generation of elite trees selected in Thailand. The mean values of all trees were 1.4 % for organic solvent extracts, 21.3 % for Klason lignin, 86.1 % for holocellulose, 44.4 % for kraft pulp yield, and 7.2 for kappa number, respectively. While repeatability values of growth traits and basic density were moderate to high (0.18 to 0.51), those in wood chemical components and kraft pulp characteristics showed quite low values (less than 0.10). No correlation coefficients were found between measured traits, except between stem diameter and tree height. Thus, it is concluded that selection of E. camaldulensis families with superior growth traits is suitable for production of raw material of pulp and paper in respect to quantity and quality of wood.

Characteristic of plywood using wood mahagony bark powder as veneer bonding agent at several storage life

Several barks from certain species, such as mahogany, have a relatively high tannin compound content. These tannin compounds have several hydroxyl groups that can be oxidized to produce radical groups. These radical groups can bind to wood chemical components through bonding mechanisms, such as esterification and phenoxy radicals coupling. The use of oxidized bark as a bonding agent has shown good characteristics of plywood. However, this method will have a problem, in terms of storage life, when being applied at industrial scale. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible application of oxidized mahagony bark powder as a bonding agent for producing plywood and evaluate the relationship between storage life and the quality of bonding agent stock in the form of oxidized bark powder. The bark powder was oxidized using hydrogen peroxide and a catalyst. The oxidized powder was stored for 0 days, 1 day, 1 week (7 days), and 1 month (30 days) in a tightly closed container before being applied for the plywood manufacture. The tests carried out were physical and mechanical properties of plywood. The results showed that the physical properties of plywood using oxidized mahagony bark powder as a bonding agent with various storage periods have met SNI 5008.2:2016. However, the mechanical properties of the produced plywood were still below the standard. The results indicated that technology for producing plywood using oxidized bark powder is potential for further development

WOOD CHEMICAL COMPONENTS AND DECAY RESISTANCE OF FOUR COMMON MONGOLIAN SOFTWOODS

To utilize wood resources in Mongolia, amounts of wood chemical components (hot-water extracts, 1% NaOH extracts, ethanol-toluene extracts, holocellulose, -, -, and -cellulose, Klason lignin, and ash) were determined in four common Mongolian softwoods, Pinus sylvestris, Pinus sibirica, Picea obovata, and Larix sibirica. In addition, decay resistance of heartwood was evaluated against a white-rot fungusTrametes versicolor, and a brown-rot fungusFormitopsis palustris. Among the four species, heartwood of Larix sibiricawas chemically characterized by higher amounts of hot-water and 1% NaOH extracts, and lower amounts of holocellulose and Klason lignin. These characteristics may be related to thepresence of arabinogalactan which is easily extracted with cold water. Mean mass loss in each softwood ranged from 6.9% to 28.1% in white-rot fungus, and from 24.8% to 48.3% in brown-rot fungus. Among four species, Pinus sibiricashowed the highest decay resistance against both fungi. By the linear mixed-effects model analysis, negative relationships were found between mass loss and amounts of extracts in heartwood, suggesting that heartwood having larger amounts of extracts showed higher natural decay durability.

Analysis on Chemical Components of Woods to Predict Ethanol Production Values

This paper deals with analysis on chemical components of woods to predict ethanol production values. The aim is expected to give a reliable value of ethanol production, eliminating the effort needed to directly measure this ethanol production from each wood species. Since the data of wood chemical components is widely available, this result will be valuable in determining a potential use of a wood species as bio-ethanol feedstock. Saccharification and fermentation processes by enzymatic hydrolysis were applied for xylems derived from49 branch trees of Cibodas, 32 branch trees of Purwodadi, and 19 branch trees of Bali Botanical Gardens in Indonesia. Three major wood components were analysed, i.e. cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. The results show varied relationships between ethanol production and chemical components of wood. The content of cellulose in wood was not exactly related to its ethanol production. This trend was also occurred for the relationship between hemicellulose and ethanol production. However, lignin content in woods gave an expected trend where the less lignin content, the higher the ethanol production.Furthermore, the ratios of cellulose-hemicelluloses and cellulose-lignin have been quantified. The result showed that the celullose-lignin ratio can potentially be used to predict the value of ethanol production which is expressed by linear regression y = 0.0616x + 0.8341; where R² = 0.4127, x = ethanol production and y = cellulose-lignin ratio. Gymnostoma sumatranum with cellulose content of 43.8% and lignin content of 24.1% (celullose-lignin ratio of 1.8) has actual ethanol production of 12.1 mg/100mg wood meal, compared to 15.7 mg/100mg wood meal resulted from above equation. Therefore, by using its cellulose-lignin ratio, the woods having high ethanol production can be screened from literatures.

Chemical characteristics of Falcataria moluccana wood infested by Boktor stem borer (Xystrocera festiva)

Abstract. Haneda NF, Supriatna AH, Shabrina H, Istikorini Y, Siregar UJ, Wahyudi I. 2021. Chemical characteristics of Falcataria moluccana wood infested by Boktor stem borer (Xystrocera festiva). Biodiversitas 22: 4203-4208. Boktor (Xystrocera festiva Thoms.) is the most destructive and detrimental pest in Falcata plantations in Indonesia. It attacks the inner bark of sapwood when the tree reaches 3-years-old. This study aimed to analyze the chemical characteristics of Falcata woods, which were infested with Boktor in trees aged 3 and 4 years, compared to the healthy tree at 2 years old. The primary chemical components and type of extractive compounds were analyzed using standard procedures. The results showed a decrease in hemicellulose and an increase in lignin content of infected wood. This condition occurs because Boktor larvae prefer hemicellulose rather than lignin, which is related to the presence of enzymes in the digestive system of the larvae. The decreasing extractive contents as trees grow and undergo age-related shifting metabolism can be alleged as the start of Boktor infestation in 3-years-old trees. Boktor infestation also altering the wood chemical components by degrading the lignin that produced 4-vinyl-syringol. The isoeugenol compound is thought to prevent Boktor infestation in the early period of tree growth.

Elastic Modulus, Thermal Expansion, and Pyrolysis Shrinkage of Norway Spruce Under High Temperature

The orthotropic and temperature-dependent nature of the mechanical properties of wood is well recognized. However, past studies of mechanical properties at elevated temperatures are either limited to temperatures below 200 °C or focus only on the direction parallel to grain. The effect of time-dependent pyrolysis during measurement is often neglected. This paper presents a novel method for determining elastic modulus at high temperatures and thermal expansion coefficient in different orthotropic directions via Dynamic Mechanical-Thermal Analyser (DMTA). The method allows for drying, drying verification, and measurement in one chamber, eliminating the possibility of moisture reabsorption from ambient air. The repeatable measurements can be carried out in temperatures up to 325°C, adequate for observing time-dependent pyrolysis during measurement. Results of the measurements of Norway Spruce provide data of its mechanical response at temperature range previously not explored widely, as well as in the orthotropic direction. Time-dependent behaviour was observed in the thermal expansion and shrinkage experiment, where above 250°C the amount of shrinkage depends on heating rate. At such temperature, elastic moduli measurement also shows time dependence, where longer heating at certain temperature slightly increases the measured elastic modulus. Additionally, bilinear regression of the relationship between elastic moduli and temperature shows quantitatively good fit. Numerical simulation of the DMTA temperature history and wood chemical components mass losses show the onset of shrinkage and onset of hemicellulose mass loss occurring at around the same time, while decomposition of cellulose correlate with the sudden loss of elastic moduli.

Cellular-level chemical changes in Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) during artificial weathering

Abstract Since wood chemical components can be depolymerized and modified by weathering, a better understanding of the mechanisms governing these processes in needed to develop effective protection methods for wood surfaces. Unfortunately, very little has been reported about the micro-scale chemical changes in wood, particularly hardwood, during weathering. The purpose of the present work is to determine the degradation behavior of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) under artificial weathering at the cellular-level. Herein, the structural and micro-distributional changes in wood components during weathering were investigated using micro-Raman spectral and chemical mapping analyses. The Raman spectra showed that weathering facilitated lignin degradation and modification. The degradation behavior of lignin differed depending on the type of wood tissue. The rate of lignin reduction followed a descending order: vessel element > axial parenchyma cell > wood fiber. Raman mapping determined that cellular-level lignin reduction on the surface layers differed for wood species. Although lignin degradation of cedar tracheids proceeded from both the surface and the cell lumen, the lignin in beech fibers degraded according to the depth.

Decomposition of Organic Chemical Components in Wood by Tropical Xylaria Species.

The ability of Xylaria species obtained from tropical wood and leaf litter to cause a mass loss of lignin and carbohydrates in wood was examined in vitro with pure culture decomposition tests. The mass loss of wood of four tree species caused by nine Xylaria isolates ranged from 4.5% to 28.4% of the original wood mass. These Xylaria isolates have a potential ability to decompose lignin and other recalcitrant compounds, collectively registered as acid unhydrolyzable residues or Klason lignin in wood. The origin of isolates (i.e., isolates from wood versus leaf litter) did not affect the mass loss of acid unhydrolyzable residue in wood. The Xylaria isolates tested generally caused a selective decomposition of polymer carbohydrates in wood in preference to acid unhydrolyzable residue. The mass loss of acid unhydrolyzable residue caused by Xylaria isolates varied with the tree species of the wood and was negatively related to the initial content of acid unhydrolyzable residue in wood, implying the limiting effect of lignin and recalcitrant compounds on wood decomposition by Xylaria isolates.

Different solvent extract of Toona sinensis wood by FT-IR and GC-MS

Forest biomass energy material is the natural material for human survival. Wood is the main material for human development. In order to save energy, the active chemical components in wood are extracted by modern equipment and applied to biomedicine, high-grade cosmetics, precious spices and other products to promote the high attachment of wood processing industry and Value-added development. The FT-IR was used to analyze and compare the extracts of Toona sinensis with ethanol, methanol and benzyl/ethanol in different solvents. Because of benzene ring of lignan suffered the most destruction from benzene/ethanol extractives, the FT-IR results showed that the absorbance of each peak was maximal at the benzene/ethanol extractives and minimal at the methanol extractives. In the gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) test, the ethanol extractives of Toona sinensis wood had a main retention time between 10-20 minute, which accounts for 38.44% of the total relative content; methanol extractives had a main retention time between 5-15 minute, which accounts for 41.22% of the total relative content; the benzene/ethanol extractives between 10-20 minute accounted for 44.46% of the total relative content. The chemical composition and retention time of the three solvent extracts are different. The measurement and analysis of the experimental data opened up a new way for the development and utilization of woody plant energy.

Changes in oak wood buried in waterlogged peat: shrinkage as a complementary indicator of the wood degradation rate

A study was made on the degradation of contemporary heartwood of oak (Quercus sp.) buried in waterlogged peat on the archaeological site at Biskupin (Poland). The state of wood preservation was evaluated after 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 years of deposition of samples in conditions similar to anaerobic. The changes that occurred in the wood were assessed on the basis of microscopic examinations, chemical composition, mass loss and selected physical properties of the wood. Despite a distinct mass loss of the samples (7.4% after 10 years of the experiment), only the initial phase of cell wall degradation and almost unchanged contents of major chemical components were observed in the examined wood. Greater changes were recorded in the content of water-soluble extractives, maximum water content, basic density and wood porosity, as well as in the total tangential and the total radial shrinkage. Wood mass loss resulted mainly from the loss of substances soluble in water (up to 70.8% after 10 years of the experiment) and less from the biological degradation of cell walls (loss of major chemical components of wood). A close relationship was observed between content of substances soluble in water, mass loss, and wood shrinkage. It was concluded that tangential and radial shrinkage may serve as a simple complementary indicator of the state of preservation of wood decomposing in the conditions of a monitored archaeological site.

Confocal Raman microscopy reveals changes in chemical composition of wood surfaces exposed to artificial weathering

Weathering leads to rapid depolymerization and modification of wood chemical components. The present study aims to assess the structural and distributional changes in the main wood polymers, such as lignin and polysaccharides, located in the surface layers during weathering exposure. A confocal Raman microscopic technique, which is useful for evaluating the structure of molecules with a high spatial resolution, was utilized to examine the effects of weathering on the chemical composition of wood surfaces at the cellular level. Raman spectra showed that lignin degradation during weathering proceeds with the formation of o- and p-quinones, carbonyl groups, and certain types of CC double bonds such as stilbene derivatives. Comparing the weathering conditions between light only and light plus water exposure, it was found that weathering in the presence of water significantly enhances the degradation of lignin. The Raman images exhibited that the degree of lignin degradation by light only exposure is according to the depth. However, in the case of light plus water exposure, lignin degradation in the outermost cell walls proceeded from both the exposed surface side and the lumen side of the cell walls. This study is expected to potentially promote development of more effective and efficient methods to protect wood surfaces against weathering.

Dynamic behavior of wood chemical components under drying process measured by near infrared spectroscopy

This study examined the dynamic behavior of wood chemical components during the drying process using near infrared spectroscopy. Principal component analysis and generalized two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy were applied to identify significant absorption bands from the heavily overlapping near infrared spectra. The near infrared spectra were successively acquired over the moisture content range of 60–11%. The principal component analysis scores indicated that the wood–water interaction in the moisture content range of 60–46% significantly differed from that in the range of 45–11%. The synchronous 2D correlation spectrum constructed from the spectra in the moisture content range of 60–46% revealed that the cell wall components and water molecules responded to the drying process even though the wood exceeded the fiber saturation point. In the moisture content range of 45–11%, the H-bonded OH groups in the crystalline region of cellulose clearly increased with the decrease in bound water. Moreover, the sequential order of events was also clarified from the asynchronous spectrum.

Particle Oxidation Time for the Manufacture of Binderless Particleboard

The oxidation treatment using hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulphate of wood particles can form free radicals of the wood chemical components essentially required in manufacturing binderless particleboard. The oxidation process is expected to have a certain optimal time. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze relationship between the oxidation time and the characteristic of produced binderless particleboard. Three wood species from community forest, namely, sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria), gmelina (Gmelina arborea), and mindi (Melia azedarach) were used for treatment. The air-dried wood particles of 10~20 mesh in size were oxidized using 20% hydrogen peroxide based on particle dry-weight and 5% ferrous sulphate based on hydrogen peroxide weight. The oxidized particles were conditioned in room at different periods of time (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 min) prior to the board production. The oxidized and conditioned particles were then hot-pressed at 180°C for 15 min with a specific pressure of 25 kgf cm-2.Results showed that oxidation treatment for 15 min was sufficient to produce a binderless particleboard with good physical and mechanical properties. The characteristics of the particleboard, such as dimensional stability, modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond were equivalent to that of particleboard made of particles with a longer oxidation time. The particle board made of sengon showed excellent thickness swelling (only 5.04%) and modulus of elasticity (37.184 kgf cm-2). This research result indicated that sengon was the most suitable raw material for binderless particleboard production compared to other observed wood species.

Selection of optimal conversion path for willow biomass assisted by near infrared spectroscopy

Willow (Salix sp.) is one of the most common hardwood species suitable for short-rotation coppice. It can be converted to different products, including chemicals, fuels, fibers or furniture. It may also be used in agriculture and environmental engineering. Molecular composition of biomass and its physical properties highly influence effectiveness of its chemical, thermo-chemical or mechanical-chemical conversion. Therefore, it is challenging to provide biomass feedstock with optimized properties, best suited for further downstream conversion. The goal of this research was to establish a procedure for determination of the willow biomass optimal use cultivated in four different plantations in Poland. A special attention has been paid to the application of the near infrared spectroscopy for evaluation of biomass chemical composition and its physical properties. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) could be an alternative to standard analytical methods supporting the research and development of biomass production technologies. Partial least squares regression models for quantitative prediction of wood chemical components (lignin, cellulose, holocellulose, hemicellulose and extractives) and high heating values were developed. The residual prediction deviation (RPD) values confirm the applicability of chemometric models for screening in breeding programmes (for lignin, cellulose and extractives content) and for research in the case of high heating value. The analysis of NIR spectra highlighted several peculiarities in the chemical composition of the investigated willow clones. Finally, a knowledge-based expert system and a prototype automatic NIR system allowing the computation of a “suitability index” based on PLS models and dedicated to selection of optimal biomass conversion path, was developed.