Some anatomical, physical and chemical properties of toothbrush wood (Salvadora persica L.) in Zabol region

Abstract

In this study, some anatomical, chemical and physical properties of toothbrush wood (Salvadora persica L.) of Zabol region in Sistan and Baluchestan province were investigated. Anatomical studies showed that thi s species has short vessel with intermediate diameter, simple perforation plate and alternative intervessel pits. Ray parenchyma is homogeneous and of the procumbent cell type. Axial parenchyma is storied as seen in the tangential section and resembles paratracheal confluent arrangement in the cross section. Included phloem was present in xylem. The average fiber length, total diameter, lumen diameter and fiber wall thickening were 1898.5, 19.4, 8.2 and 5.6 µm, respectively. Chemical characteristics also showed that, toothbrush wood has average cellulose, lignin, extractives and ash content about 33.5, 21.5, 6.8 and 7.5%, respectively. The results also showed that the specific gravity of the wood was 0.49 and its mean tangential, radial and longitudinal shrinkages were 7.4, 7.8 and 0.98 %, respectively.

Keywords

• toothbrush wood
• Anatomy
• CHEMICAL
• PHYSICAL