By: Aina K. S.; Adeniyi I. M.; Ademola A. A.;
Abstract:
The potentials and capability of pulp and paper industry in Nigeria can only be met if proper and adequate
information on raw materials are well known. This study investigated the comparative anatomical structures of
Terminalia catappa wood grown in Nigeria. Wood specimens were extracted from two parts of the tree (stem and
branch); each part was radially sectioned into three portions (outer, middle, core). Properties such as fibre derivatives
and anatomical features of the wood were investigated at two variables (tree part and wood portion). The results
ranged from 1.29 mm to 1.99 mm, 0.02 mm to 0.04 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm, 0.01 mm to 0.03 mm and 0.19 mm to
0.30 mm for fibre length, fibre diameter, lumen width, cell wall thickness and vessel diameter respectively. Also, the
values obtained for slenderness ratio, flexibility coefficient, runkel ratio, Luce's shape and solid factor ranged from
40.24 to 59.29, 0.30 to 0.57, 0.94 to 2.52, -0.095 to - 0.267 and 0.001 and 0.004 respectively. It was shown that
variables investigated were not significant in fibre length, fibre diameter, cell wall thickness, slenderness ratio,
flexibility coefficient and solid factor but significant in vessel diameter, Luce's shape and runkel ratio. The outcome
of anatomical features revealed that gum deposits were more pronounced in stem than in branch while the branch was
found to be more of libriform fibres than in stem. The outcome of this research revealed that Terminalia catappa can
be considered as a raw material for the production of pulp for papers making.
Keywords: Anatomical; Terminalia catappa; Fibre; Pulp; Pap
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