The further chemistry of ellagic acid III: The effect of wick action upon moisture uptake and movement in ellagate treated Pinus radiata wood

Abstract

Pinus radiata sapwood stakes were treated with ellagic acid and tetraguanidinium, tetracholine and tetrakis-benzyltrimethylammonium ellagates. The effect of these treatments upon moisture movement and uptake was investigated by wick action. Given that chemical reactions within the wood substrate between nutrients and treatment solutions may alter the properties of the wood with regard to moisture movement, the presence of Cu2+ in the system was also examined. Water-soluble ellagates reduced water loss by 25-35 %, but had no effect upon water uptake. Ellagic acid in N-methylpyrrolidone significantly reduced both water loss and moisture uptake. The effect of Cu2+ upon moisture movement and uptake in the treated stakes was negligible.