Influência da extração de látex nas propriedades físicas e químicas da madeira de Hevea brasiliensis

Abstract

Hevea brasiliensis is a Brazilian very important species as it is a basic raw material for natural rubber, however, the studies of its physical and chemical properties are scarce, as well as the influence of the latex extraction panel on these properties. Based on this, the aim of this work was to evaluate the technological quality of Hevea brasiliensis wood along the shaft, considering the panel of latex extraction. Four 27-year-old trees were used from a commercial plantation located at Paranapoema, Northeast Mesoregion of Paraná. Sampling begins with the removal of discs of four heights (base, 1.5 m, 3.0 m and height of the first bifurcation) to determine the physical and chemical properties of the wood along the shaft. The basic density, linear contractions, anisotropic factor, total extractive contents, Klason lignin, soluble lignin, total lignin, holocellulose, ash and wood pH were determined. The results indicate that the latex extraction panel did not influence the physical properties of the wood. Regarding the chemical properties, the presence of extraction panel increased the extractives content and total lignin. Significant differences were found between the nearest and farthest portions of the panel for all chemical components. Based on the results, it was concluded that the Hevea brasiliensis wood presents potential for industrial use, due to the homogeneity of the physical properties and to present characteristics like those of commercial species.