Determination the effects of some commercial wood and bark extracts against wood decay fungi and insects when utilized in indoor applications

The objective of this study is to determine the protective effect of commercial and enviromentally friendly extracts. In this study, mimosa (Acacia mollissima), quebracho (Schinopsis lorentzii) and pine bark extracts (Pinus brutia) known with their higher condance tannin amount were tested. These extracts were used to impregnate scotch pine, beech and populus wood specimens prepared in different dimensions. Mycologic, entomologic and chemical tests were utilized to identify the protective effects of extracts. Two types of white rot Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus and two types of brown rot Fomitopsis palustris and Gloeophyllum trabeum fungi were used. Spondylis buprestoides larvae and Reticulitermes grassei were used for entomological assays. High Pressure Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography?mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used analitical instruments for chemical analysis of extract components. Demaged analysis of decayed wood samples and morphologic characters of extracts were visually examined with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). According to the results, while mimosa and quebracho extracts showed highest resistance against both white rot and brown rot fungi, pine extract resulted in lowest antifungal activity. The threshold concentrations of mimosa and quebracho extracts found to be 9% on higher for decay test and 12% for insect test, respectively. The current study indicates that commercial mimosa and quebracho extracts can be used as environmentally friendly wood preservatives against decay fungi wood destroying insects in indoor applications.