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Xylans were selectively removed from paper-grade pulps by nitren extraction to produce dissolving pulps. Extraction parameters were optimised for a birch kraft pulp regarding time, temperature, liquor/pulp ratio, and total nitren charge. Furthermore, the applicability of the method was investigated for two other kraft pulps obtained from eucalyptus and mixed softwood, and for one beech sulfite pulp. Extracted pulps were characterised regarding their carbohydrate content and Cuen viscosity. The nitren charge was a decisive factor for xylan removal and pulp purity. The combination of a high nitren concentration and low liquor/pulp ratio was most effective for xylan removal. However, a high liquor/pulp ratio with a lower nitren concentration proved to be more selective and minimised cellulose degradation as well. Glucomannans were almost insoluble under the extraction conditions investigated. Therefore, softwood pulps were not suitable for the upgrading of chemical pulps to dissolving pulps by nitren extraction. On the other hand, hardwood pulps obtained by kraft and sulfite processes contained 96–97% cellulose after nitren extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe topochemical distribution of accessory compounds responsible for wood colouration during heartwood formation and processing of black cherry (Prunus serotina) is restricted to the axial and ray parenchyma cells. (+)-Catechin, taxifolin, aromadendrin, eriodictyol, naringenin, 4'-methoxynaringenin and prunin were identified in acetone/water extracts. However, the colour of wood after extraction is still reddish-brown, indicating that the coloured material is polymeric (cross-linked, condensed). It was demonstrated that (+)-catechin plays a pivotal role in the development of heartwood colour. Its concentration at the sapwood/heartwood boundary decreases, presumably due to the formation of non-soluble polymeric proanthocyanidins. Heat treatment of heartwood during veneer production intensifies the reddish-brown heartwood colour, probably by promoting the polymerisation of (+)-catechin and other flavonoid monomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]