Application of histochemical stains for rapid qualitative analysis of the lignin content in multiple wood species

Abstract

Rapid qualitative analysis was used to determine the influence of the lignin content of wood cell walls on the compression and bending properties of multiple wood species. The lignin type and cell wall content of Cunninghamia lanceolate, Fagus longipetiolata, Betula alnoides, Fraxinus mandshurica, and Tectona grandis was analyzed via histochemical staining, which included: the Maule staining reaction, the Weisner staining reaction, and a fluorescence reaction. The results showed that the more red the Maule staining reaction was, the greater the Syringyl lignin (S-type lignin) content was. and the more yellowish-brown the Maule staining reaction was. the greater the Guaiacyl lignin (G-type lignin) content was. In addition, the more reddish-purple the Wiesner staining reaction was, the greater the lignin content was. The greater the brightness value of the fluorescence reaction was, the greater the lignin content was. Due to the negative correlation between the lignin content of the wood cell wall and the bending and compression properties of the wood, the application of histochemical stains for the analysis of wood lignin content could provide a reference and experimental basis for bending and compression treatments of various woods.