Natural durability and extractive content of Mulberry wood from Iran

Mulberry wood (Morus alba L.) is traditionally used in Iran to manufacture music instruments such as tar and setar. But little is know and contradictory statements are found on the natural durability of Morus alba. Moreover, in many cases, Iranian instrument makers leave freshly cut Mulberry timber into water (cold or hot) for a time period depending on the craftsman habit, without any real knowledge or rationalization of the process. It is believed that this step induces a better acoustic behaviour of the wood. It also has to be underline that the leaching waters are very aggressive and contribute to severe skin disorders amongst the wood workers. In this study, the natural durability of leached (according to EN84) and un-leached Morus alba was evaluated against both fungi and termites. The fungal tests followed the guidelines of XP Cen/TS 15083-1, and the wood was exposed to temperate and tropical fungal strains. The termite tests were performed according to EN 117 and the mass loss of the samples was measured along with the visual rating. As a second step, wood powder was extracted using different solvents (including water) and preliminary tests on the activity of these extracts on termites were conducted. The chemical analysis of these extractives is still on going