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Sustainability Wood Chemistry Wood Protection Wood Science Journal article

Wood vinegars: natural sources for preserving tropical and temperate woods against wood-rotting fungi and subterranean termites

Hakim Abdel Aziz Ouattara, Bobelé Florence Niamké, Jean Louis Lepetit N’guessan, Mandji Eliane Marie Frédéric AHOKE, N’guessan Jean Claude Yao, Nadine Amusant, Stéphane Dumarçay

19 March 2026 · Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology

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Abstract

This study evaluated the potential of wood vinegars produced in Côte d’Ivoire as natural preservatives for non-durable woods against wood-rotting fungi and subterranean termites. Wood vinegars were obtained by slow pyrolysis of selected tropical wood mixtures, chosen based on their local availability and traditional use. Four formulations were produced: WCV1 from colatier, framire, rubber wood, acacia, and abale; WCV2 from colatier, framire, rubber wood, and acacia; WCV3 from colatier, rubber wood, and dabema; and WCV4 from iroko, mahogany, and frake. The vinegars were first screened for antifungal activity using a microplate assay against six wood-decaying fungi (Trametes versicolor, Pleurotus ostreatus, Pycnoporus sanguineus, Coniophora puteana, Rhodonia placenta, and Gloeophyllum trabeum). Based on their high antifungal performance, WCV1 and WCV3 were selected for preservation tests. These vinegars were used to impregnate three non-durable wood species (Kapok, Scots pine, and Beech) selected for their contrasting densities and anatomical structures. The chemical composition of untreated woods was determined, and changes induced by impregnation were analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy. Results showed that WCV1 and WCV3 were the most effective vinegars against wood-rotting fungi. Chemical analyses indicated lignin-rich Kapok and holocellulose-rich Scots pine, while FT-IR spectra revealed esterification reactions between wood polymers and vinegar constituents, leading to reduced hydrophilicity and improved durability. Extract retention was strongly influenced by vinegar concentration and wood density. In vitro decay and termite resistance tests demonstrated enhanced durability of treated woods, particularly Beech, while Kapok and Scots pine showed improved resistance mainly when treated with undiluted (100%) vinegars. Among all formulations, WCV3 exhibited the highest protective efficacy, attributed to its high dry matter content, confirming the potential of wood vinegars as sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional wood preservatives.

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