Several hardwood and softwood trees were analyzed for anthraquinone-type co
mponents. Wood samples were reduced to a small size and extracted with an o
rganic solvent; the extracts were then concentrated and analyzed by gas chr
omatography-mass spectroscopy. Low levels of AQ and anthrone components wer
e detected using a sensitive selected-ion monitoring technique. Ten out of
seventeen hardwood samples examined contained AQ-type components; however,
the levels were typically below similar to 6 ppm. Such components were not
observed for the few softwood samples that were examined. The AQs were more
concentrated in the heartwood of teak than in the sapwood. Extraction of c
ottonwood with an organic solvent had little effect on the ease of pulping
of the wood.