Wood Tar Research Articles

Characterization of Waste Tar Associated with Abandoned Wood Chemical Plant Sites in Northwest Pennsylvania, USA

Over 70 wood chemical plants operated in northern Pennsylvania between ca. 1890 and 1950, all located within 72 km of the New York state border. Their original purpose was to salvage the small unwanted hardwood trees left behind by the lumber mills, and to make charcoal, calcium acetate and methanol for a number of industrial uses via destructive distillation. At many old wood chemical plant sites, unknown quantities of wood tar remain as a residual contaminant and pose a pollution threat to aquatic life in nearby streams. Research on the composition and properties of residual wood tars from five abandoned industrial sites in Pennsylvania are described. Weathered wood tars were more viscous and contained fewer volatile and semivolatile organic compounds than did soil-buried tars. Phenol, 2-methylphenol (o-cresol), 4-methylphenol (p-cresol), and 2, 4-dimethylphenol were found in all sampled tars. These water-soluble phenolic compounds were released quasi-instantaneously in aqueous solution, followed by a slower rate of release, consistent with the behavior of similar compounds in other dense non-aqueous liquids. Air-exposed wood tar deposits developed a hard crust, which contained fewer volatiles and semivolatiles and had a higher softening point than other samples. These tars eroded to form a powdered soil colonized by lichens and mosses. Residual wood tar material found at one site was shown to be thermally altered, likely during the historical destruction of the chemical plant by fire. Recovered wood tar wastes have a relatively high heating value and may have use as a potential, but limited, alternate energy source.

O204 ニッケル触媒炭化した木タール炭の性状と機能(セッション1:技術～熱化学～,口頭発表)

O204 ニッケル触媒炭化した木タール炭の性状と機能(セッション1:技術～熱化学～,口頭発表)

Fungicidal value of wood tar from pyrolysis of treated wood

The objective of the paper was to estimate the fungicidal value of wood tar extracted as a product of pyrolysis of wood previously treated with either creosote oil or CCB-type salt preservative. The effectiveness of wood treated with one of these two wood tar residuals was compared to the effectiveness of wood treated with virgin creosote oil (type WEI-B) and an untreated control. Wood was impregnated with alcohol solutions of the two extracted preservatives or virgin creosote oil and then subjected to the Coniophora puteana, Poria placenta and Coriolus versicolor fungi. The fungicidal values of the investigated preservatives were determined with the use of the short agar-block method and the aging test according to the standard EN 84. It was found that wood tar extracted by pyrolysis of old creosote-treated wood and then used to treat wood may have potential as a preservative for wood protection or as a component of preservatives.

Effect of essential oil compounds and plant extracts on decay and termite resistance of wood

Essential oils and their derivatives have a long history of safe usage as antimicrobial agents in food industry. In this study various essential oils and extracts from plants were screened for their ability to inhibit wood decay and termite attack in laboratory decay and termite resistance tests using treated wood specimens. In the laboratory decay resistance tests, wood specimens treated with essential oil compounds were subjected to brown-rot fungus, Tyromyces palustris, and white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor for three months. The specimens were also subjected to termite attack by subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus for three weeks in laboratory conditions. The formulation with cinnamaldehyde (DF3) was found to be effective against both the brown-rot and white-rot fungi used in the study. However, the formulation with cinnamic acid (DF8) was able to protect wood specimens against only the white rot fungus and about 50% mass loss occurred in the specimens subjected to the brown-rot fungus. The mass losses in the wood specimens treated with cassia oil containing formulation (DF4) showed that cassia oil was effective against both fungi. The wood tar oil and dodecanal compounds also inhibited fungal decay in the specimens. The wood specimens treated with the formulations used in termite resistance tests were more resistant against the termites when compared to specimens treated with the formulations in decay resistance tests. Even after severe weathering process, treated wood specimens showed resistance against the subterranean termites. Results suggest that essential oils and plant extracts might be important to develop new wood preservatives that are less harmful to the environment and humans than recently available ones.

Antibacterial Evaluation of 1,4-Benzoquinone Derivatives

We investigated the antibacterial activity of some new 2-aryl-3,5-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone derivatives, previously prepared from 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone by Suzuki cross-coupling reactions, to find effective antibacterial agents. The antibacterial activity was first tested in vitro by the disk diffusion assay against two gram-positive and two gram-negative bacteria, and then the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of active compounds was determined. The results showed that some 2-aryl-3,5-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone derivatives inhibit growth of both gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes), microorganisms that cause food poisoning and rheumatic fever. This study points out the antibacterial activity of some 2-aryl-3,5-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone derivatives.

HERODOTUS’ AND PLINY'S EMBALMING MATERIALS IDENTIFIED ON ANCIENT EGYPTIAN MUMMIES*

Unused ancient Egyptian embalming material unearthed at Deir el‐Bahari (c. 1500bc) shed new light on the potential preparation methods for various embalming materials in Pharaonic Egypt. Analyses revealed the presence of phenols, guaiacols, naphthalenes and sesquiterpenoids. These components were attributed to a wood tar oil produced by a dry distillation or smouldering process from the true cedar tree. The preservation effects were elucidated at the molecular level. Bone alkaline phosphatase, an enzyme that is tightly bound in deeper regions of the bone mineral, served as a marker to reveal the efficacy of the investigated compounds. A very similar embalming material was extracted from a Ptolemaic torso (340±170bc), showing powerful bactericidal and fungicidal activity on the mummified tissue and bones. Here, we show that both the unused and the used embalming materials are in striking accordance with Pliny's description of liquid ‘cedrium’, with the abundantly present guaiacol proving the most effective conserving compound.

Application of Lithospermum officinale L. in early Bronze Age medicine

A plaster made of tar with the fruit of Lithospermum officinale L. (common gromwell) was found in a woman’s grave discovered at site no. 14 in Szarbia, Koniusza district, Malopolska province. The grave is dated to early Bronze Age, the late phase of the Mierzanowice culture (from about 1750 to 1600 B.C.). The heat discharging and antiseptic properties of phenols contained in wood tar and also the pharmacological properties of the nutlets of L. officinale suggest that the plaster was used as medicinal remedy. It cannot be ruled out that the nuts of L. officinale were used as a sympathetic agent or even as magical additives in this mixture.

Effective Mummification Compounds Used in Pharaonic Egypt: Reactivity on Bone Alkaline Phosphatase

In Pharaonic Egypt from the Old Kingdom up to the Ptolemaic Period the deceased were pre-treated in the course of the mummification process using a wealth of embalming components including resins and many different wood tars. GC/MS studies allowed the elucidation of a great number of clearly separated compounds found in the ancient embalming material. Phenols, guaiacols, naphthalenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, oxidised diterpene resin acids and triterpenoids were noticed. These results and particularly the detection of an unused embalming material shed some new light on the possible way as to how the different embalming materials might have been prepared and applied. It was striking to see the accordance of the present data with the well-known treatises by Herodotus (490-425 B. C.) and by Pliny the Elder (23/24-79 A. C.). The impact of the historical observations on modern science and in return the dramatic promotion of ancient texts stimulated by the present study is intriguing. An enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, bound inside mummified bones was a useful tool to reveal the efficacy of the embalming materials. Initial data showed that alkaline phosphatase isolated from embalmed bones from the Old Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Period was significantly more abundant and displayed a higher activity compared to the properties of the corresponding enzyme from non-treated mummified bones. Additionally, in a model study porcine ribs were pre-treated with four selected embalming compounds - guaiacol, limonene, α-pinene and p-cymene - and subsequently air-dried. Among the four selected compounds guaiacol was the most reactive species in the course of the preservation process. The specific activity of bone alkaline phosphatase rose 12-fold compared to that of the control. The enzyme itself remained unharmed as the observed relative molecular mass was surprisingly identical with the contemporary enzyme. It was again striking that the guaiacol derivatives were richly abundant in the unused embalming material mentioned above.

Corrosividade causada por soluções produzidas com creosoto vegetal

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a corrosividade de soluções preservativas preparadas com creosoto vegetal. Por destilação do alcatrão vegetal, obteve-se o creosoto vegetal bruto, recuperado à temperatura de 110-255 ºC. Uma fração deste destilado foi lavada com solução a 9% de bicarbonato de sódio, obtendo-se o creosoto vegetal purificado. Ambas as frações foram enriquecidas com 3% de naftenato de cobre; 3% de naftenato de zinco; 3% de naftenato de cobalto; 2% de TBTO; 2% de tribromofenato de tributil-estanho; 2% de pentaclorofenol; ou 0,4% de trióxido de arsênico. Foram preparadas 16 soluções preservativas, sendo 14 enriquecidas, além do creosoto vegetal bruto e do creosoto vegetal purificado. Placas de aço SAE 1006 foram expostas por 6 horas às temperaturas de 25, 45 e 100 ºC, à ação corrosiva dessas soluções. A corrosividade das soluções de creosoto vegetal foi comparada à corrosividade causada pelo creosoto mineral. As soluções preparadas com creosoto vegetal purificado foram menos corrosivas que suas similares preparadas com creosoto vegetal bruto, sem, no entanto, atingir a baixa corrosividade do creosoto mineral.

Efeitos da purificação e do enriquecimento do creosoto vegetal na preservação da madeira de Eucalyptus grandis, após 48 meses de instalação do ensaio de campo

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência da purificação e do enriquecimento do creosoto vegetal contra xilófagos, após 48 meses de instalação do ensaio de campo. Por destilação do alcatrão vegetal, obteve-se o creosoto vegetal bruto (creosoto 1), recuperado à temperatura de 110-255 °C. Uma fração dos destilados foi lavada com solução a 9% de bicarbonato de sódio, para obter o creosoto vegetal purificado (creosoto 2). Os creosotos 1 e 2 foram enriquecidos com 3% de naftenato de cobre; 3% de naftenato de zinco; 3% de naftenato de cobalto; 2% de TBTO; 2% de tribromofenato de tributil-estanho; 2% de pentaclorofenol; ou 0,4% de trióxido de arsênico. Estacas obtidas do alburno de Eucalyptus grandis foram tratadas pelo processo de célula cheia. A eficiência das soluções de creosoto vegetal foi comparada com a do creosoto mineral. O ensaio foi instalado em três localidades (Viçosa, Ponte Nova e Leopoldina). Os resultados indicam que o creosoto 2 + pentaclorofenol foi superior aos creosotos 1 e 2 + TBTO, aos creosotos 1 e 2 + naftenato de zinco e ao creosoto 1 puro, sendo semelhante ao creosoto mineral. O creosoto 2 foi superior ao creosoto 1 apenas para a localidade de Leopoldina. De modo geral, a vida média da madeira não-tratada ficou entre 12 e 24 meses, a da madeira tratada com o creosoto 1 + TBTO entre 24 e 37 meses e a da tratada com o creosoto 1 + naftenato de zinco entre 37 e 48 meses e a com o creosoto 1 + naftenato de cobalto, creosoto 2 puro e creosoto 2 + naftenato de zinco ou TBTO foi de 48 meses. No atual estágio da pesquisa, não é possível estimar a vida média da madeira tratada com as demais soluções preservativas testadas, pois ainda não atingiram os 60% das estacas quebradas.

Methanol Mediated Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Wood Tar

Abstract The methanol-mediated extraction was applied to wood carbonization tar. Phenolic compounds could be extracted from the wood tar. This shows the possibility of the selective extraction of phenolic compounds, although wood tar consists of many kinds of oxygen-containing compounds such as alcohols, phenols, ketones, esters, ethers, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, furans, and so on. The extraction is expected as a new method for the utilization of wood tar.

Corrosão de parafusos fixados à madeira tratada com soluções de creosoto vegetal

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a corrosão de parafusos auto-rosqueáveis fixados à madeira tratada com soluções preservativas preparadas com creosoto vegetal, em condições de campo. Obteve-se o creosoto vegetal bruto por meio da destilação à temperatura de 110 - 255ºC do alcatrão vegetal. Uma fração dos destilados foi lavada com solução a 9% de bicarbonato de sódio, obtendo-se o creosoto vegetal purificado. Ambas as frações foram enriquecidas com 3% de naftenato de cobre; 3% de naftenato de zinco; 3% naftenato de cobalto; 2% de TBTO; 2% de tribromofenato de tubutil-estanho; 2% de pentaclorofenol; ou 0,4% de trióxido de arsênico. Foram preparadas 16 soluções, sendo 14 enriquecidas, além do creosoto vegetal bruto e do creosoto vegetal purificado. Estacas confeccionadas com madeira de alburno de Eucalyptus grandis foram tratadas pelo processo de célula- cheia (processo Bethell). Após o tratamento, parafusos auto-rosquéaveis de ferro zincado foram fixados às estacas. O ensaio foi instalado em três localidades da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais (Viçosa, Ponte Nova e Leopoldina). A corrosividade das soluções de creosoto vegetal foi comparada à causada pelo creosoto mineral. As soluções preparadas com creosoto vegetal purificado foram menos corrosivas que suas similares preparadas com creosoto vegetal bruto, assemelhando-se ao creosoto mineral.

Bacterial target sites for biocide action

Although biocides have been used for a century, the number of products containing biocides has recently increased dramatically with public awareness of hygiene issues. The antimicrobial efficacy of biocides is now well documented; however, there is still a lack of understanding of their antimicrobial mechanisms of action. There is a wide range of biocides showing different levels of antimicrobial activity. It is generally accepted that, in contrast to chemotherapeutic agents, biocides have multiple target sites within the microbial cell and the overall damage to these target sites results in the bactericidal effect. Information about the antimicrobial efficacy of a biocide (i.e. the eta-value) might give some useful indications about the overall mode of action of a biocide. Bacteriostatic effects, usually achieved by a lower concentration of a biocide, might correspond to a reversible activity on the cytoplasmic membrane and/or the impairment of enzymatic activity. The bacteriostatic mechanism(s) of action of a biocide is less documented and a primary (unique?) target site within the cell might be involved. Understanding the mechanism(s) of action of a biocide has become an important issue with the emergence of bacterial resistance to biocides and the suggestion that biocide and antibiotic resistance in bacteria might be linked. There is still a lack of understanding of the mode of action of biocides, especially when used at low concentrations (i.e. minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) or sublethal). Although this information might not be required for highly reactive biocides (e.g. alkylating and oxidizing agents) and biocides used at high concentrations, the use of biocides as preservatives or in products at sublethal concentrations, in which a bacteriostatic rather than a bactericidal activity is achieved, is driving the need to better understand microbial target sites. Understanding the mechanisms of action of biocides serves several purposes: (i) it will help to design antimicrobial formulations with an improved antimicrobial efficacy and (ii) it will ensure the prevention of the emergence of microbial resistance.

Development of a Method for Forest Cafeteria Tests for Evaluating Chemical Deterrents against Bark Stripping by Sika Deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis)

Damage caused by sika deer (Cervus nippon yesoensis) is a serious problem in commercial and environmental (non-harvested) forests in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Cafeteria tests in forests may be useful for evaluating the efficacy of chemical deterrents against bark stripping by deer. To develop a method for forest cafeteria tests in the continuous snow cover period, two experiments were carried out. In the experiments, logs were produced from tree trunks, and used as carriers of chemical deterrents. Carriers were installed in forests and fed to deer. The first experiment was to find suitable sites and installation methods for carriers. Criteria for the local suitability and the installation methods were as follows: a) Sites where deer are active should be selected; b) Carriers should be installed along actively used deer trails; c) Installation sites of carriers should be changed in response to deer movement; d) Carriers should be produced from tree species that deer naturally prefer; and e) Each carrier should be partially buried in the snow. The second experiment evaluated the feasibility of a cafeteria test method based on the results of the first experiment. The method was used for 13 sets of the cafeteria test, in which the deterrent effectiveness of 5 chemicals (wood tar, rosin, wood vinegar, and 2 pyroligneous liquors) was examined. We obtained results from all the sets. The chemicals tested did not deter bark stripping by deer. Nevertheless, the method used in the present study was practical for the cafeteria tests.

Deterrent Effect of Rosin and Wood Tar against Barking by the Gray-sided Vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae)

The gray-sided vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae Thomas) is a small wild rodent widely distributed in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Floors of forestry plantations with thick herbage provide gray-sided voles with suitable habitats. The voles eat bark in winter, and because of this, severe damage can occur in many plantations. Deterrent effects on gray-sided voles of rosin and 3 wood tars were evaluated by two-choice tests in the field. These materials were selected because they were promising and economical deterrents. In the test for each material, disks were produced from trunks of Japanese larch, and used as carriers. Pairs of carriers (a material-treated carrier and a control carrier) were fed to gray-sided voles for 24 h, and values of the eaten area of bark were compared between treated carriers and controls. Every material decreased the extent of barking. The treated carriers were significantly less eaten compared to the controls for all the materials (p<0.01 or 0.05). Deterrent effects of three fractions (neutral, phenol, and strong acid fractions) made from wood tar were also evaluated. Every fraction prevented gray-sided voles from barking. The treated carriers were significantly less eaten compared to the controls for all the fractions (p<0.05). The neutral fraction has showed an especially strong deterrent effect; thus this fraction is most promising for future use.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by wood dusts.

Exposure to wood dusts may cause various skin and mucosal symptoms. Allergic dermatoses, caused by wood dusts, diagnosed at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health during 1976-1999 are reported here. 16 had allergic contact dermatitis and, 2 had contact urticaria. 9 men (3 cabinet makers, 3 joiners, 1 carpenter, 1 knifemaker and 1 machinist) were mainly exposed to tropical hardwoods. 1 man had dermatitis caused by western red cedar. 5 patients, 3 men and 2 women, were exposed to Finnish pine or spruce dusts, and 1 man to aspen. 7 also had rhinitis, 4 asthma or dyspnoea and 3 conjunctivitis. On patch testing, 10 men reacted to 9 different wood dusts, including teak (5), palisander (3), jacaranda (2), mahogany (2), walnut (2) and obeche (1). Reactions to wood allergens, including lapachol (2), deoxylapachol (1), (R)-3,4-dimethoxydahlbergione (2), 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (1), mansonone A (2) and salicyl alcohol (1), were noted in 4 cases. All but 1 of 5 patients exposed to pine or spruce dusts reacted to the sawdusts, all 5 to colophonium, 3 to abietic acid, 2 to tall oil resin, 3 to wood tar mix and 4 to other wood gum resins. Of the 2 CU patients, 1 was prick and RAST positive to obeche, 1 reacted with urticarial dermatitis to punah wood dust on chamber exposure. Occupational allergic dermatoses are mainly caused by the dusts of hardwoods, mostly due to Type IV allergy, but may also be caused by softwood dusts. Patch tests can be done with wood dusts, but should be confirmed by patch testing with wood allergens if possible.

Carbon Adsorbents from Petroleum Binders

A method for enhancing the adsorption capacity of previously obtained [1] adsorbents by altering their charge composition is described. The structures and properties of the adsorbents molded with conventional wood tar and petroleum binders are compared. Scarcity of wood tar is restraining production growth and broadening of range of carbon adsorbents.

The Survival of Enzymes in Embalmed Bones from Pharaonic Egypt

Synopsis New evidence from analytical studies has shown that the bones of the mummy of Idu II (late Old Kingdom) were treated with products originating from pinewood. The rich abundance of pine wood tar components and sodium in the bones support the proposal that Idu II had been skeletonized at least in part during the process of embalming.4 The study also indicates that the body was treated with natron, which could possibly have been utilized in the form of a solution in which the bones were soaked. If this

The carcinogenicity of wood tars

In 1932–1933 when chemical carcinogens—polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)—first began to be manufactured, studies were begun concerning their separation from coal tar [1–3].

Chemical prevention of Larix leptolepis stands from damage by gray red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae) in Hokkaido : Repellent effects of wood tars and a rosin to gray red-backed vole

Chemical prevention of Larix leptolepis stands from damage by gray red-backed vole (Clethrionomys rufocanus bedfordiae) in Hokkaido : Repellent effects of wood tars and a rosin to gray red-backed vole