Putting spice into wood protection

Acid produced from a chilli-dwelling bacteria could provide a natural alternative to synthetic preservatives used to treat wood. Research undertaken by Scion shows that chilli waste has moderate antifungal properties. Using DNA sequencing, scientists have isolated acids from a bacterium growing in the chilli that halts the growth of brown rot on wood. This preservative only works if the wood remains dry.

To overcome the leaching issue, scientists are now evaluating ways to impregnate natural preservatives into wood using agents that can cross-link these metabolites to wood fibres. Scion has screened almost 100 natural compounds in their search for naturally occurring preservatives.

The compounds tested have been sourced from medicinal and native plants, essential oils, agricultural/horticultural wastes, as well as secondary metabolites from bacteria and fungi.

Source: R&D Works Newsletter

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