Effects of Different Drying Treatments on Preservation of Organic Compounds in Dalbergia bariensis Wood

Abstract

Rosewood furniture and handicrafts are appreciated by Chinese people on account of their rich aroma and pleasing feel. The unique characteristics of rosewood are attributed to the presence of certain organic compounds in its gum canal and parenchyma cells. However, modern wood drying is different from traditional technology with respect to protecting those valuable organic compounds in wood. In this study, to investigate the valuable organic compounds in Dalbergia bariensis, and the effect of drying treatments on their preservation rates, wood extracts, untreated and treated with conventional drying (CD), vacuum drying (VD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD), were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicated that there were some compounds with obvious pharmaceutical functions in Dalbergia bariensis, which can be used to improve the furniture function in health care. Also, the preservation of these compounds was affected by drying treatment; VFD drying preserved the maximum amount of organic compounds in wood.