MORPHOLOGY ANALYSES WITH SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM) IN DEVELOPMENT OF GAHARU PARTICLE BOARDS FROM ACCUMULATED SPENT GAHARU WOOD DUST:

SC Mohd Yusof

SC Mohd Yusof

Abstract

MORPHOLOGY ANALYSES WITH SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM) IN DEVELOPMENT OF GAHARU PARTICLE BOARDS FROM ACCUMULATED SPENT GAHARU WOOD DUST

S.C. Mohd. Yusof, S. Moosa, S. Abdul Majid, N. Kamarudin, F. Ali, M.F. Osman and R. Ahmad

Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Bangi, 43000 KAJANG, MALAYSIA

ABSTRACT

Gaharu particle boards were developed from accumulated spent gaharu wood dust from the operation of industrial scale gaharu oil extraction facility and have many functions, including as decorations, for aromatherapy and indoor accessories. Gaharu oleoresin residue was suspected to be present in the dust. The spent wood dust was gamma irradiated at doses of 15 kGy, 20 kGy and 25 kGy, to assess if more oleoresin could be further extracted. Changes in the morphology of the waste gaharu wood dust were observed and recorded using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Resin residues obtained after gamma irradiation at difference doses were analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). Observation with SEM showed various changes in structures of waste gaharu wood dust, with waste wood irradiated with 25 kGy showing the biggest change and had the most of the common chemical components of gaharu oil. Three types of coatings, viz. X (laquer materials), Y (conversion varnish materials) and Z (polyvinyl acetate based materials) were applied to the gaharu particle boards and observed under SEM. Coating Z had different structure and porosity compared with other coatings, scored the highest score for the acceptance of intensity of aroma released and suitable for the slow release aroma/fragrance from the essential oils in gaharu particle boards.

Keywords: spent gaharu wood dust, irradiation, scanning electron microscopy, oleoresin, coatings.