THERMAL-ANALYSIS OF SOME MEDITERRANEAN PL ANTS

Thermal analysis can be used for the study of the behaviour of plants during heating, and most particularly in the risk prevention of forest fire. Simultaneous thermal analysis (DTA-TG) of some mediterranean ve getals (needles of Pinus halepensis, leaves of Quercus coccifera; leav es of Rosmarinus officinalis; prickles, flowers and branchs of Ulex pa rviflorus; leaves and branchs of Acacia dealbata; leaves of Cistus alb idus) shows the presence of several exothermic peaks. The first one, a bout 300 degrees C, is responsible for a brutal ignition of the evolve d gas. We compare the different samples by using the DTA and DTG peak temperatures and the weight loss by volatilization at 300 degrees C.