A FLUORESCENCE SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY ON WOOD

Fluorescence spectroscopy has been suggested as an important tool for identification of timber (Krishna, Chowdhury 1935; Dyer 1988; Sum et a l. 1991). In the present study measurements of fluorescence excitation and emission spectra from solid wood blocks, powder and their extract in methanol from heartwood of Acacia nilotica (Babul), Albizia lebbek (Kokko), Pterocarpus marsupium (Bijasal), Toona ciliata (Toon), Tecto na grandis (Teak) and Eucalyptus tereticornis (Eucalypt) have been mad e. Fluorescence spectra obtained from solid dry wood is independent of excitation wavelength, whereas those obtained from extracts exhibited excitation wavelength dependence indicating presence of many fluoresc ent chemicals. The need for systematic study of wood extracts in diffe rent polar and nonpolar solvents, which would be useful for purposes o f identification of wood species, is stressed.