Determinación de las propiedades físicas y químicas de la madera de cinco especies forestales procedentes de la parroquia Multitud, cantón Alausí, provincia de Chimborazo.

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to describe the physical and chemical properties of the wood of five forest species from Multitud Parish, Alausí Canton, Province of Chimborazo, in order to identify their importance and added value. The species under study were identified in the Herbarium of the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (CHEP). For the physical properties, specifically the anatomical characteristics, were exposed to a softening process in order to 5 prisms of 2 cm of edge for each species, micrometric cuts were made in the transversal, tangential and radial planes, after staining and mounting of the slides, the description of the anatomical characteristics was carried out based on the nomenclature established by the International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA), the statistical analysis of the variables quantity and perimeter of the pores was performed. For the organoleptic characteristics, a comparative table was made of the identified characteristics by means of the sense organs. senses. For the density determination, five prisms were weighed and the respective data was taken with a calibrator. For the determination of the potential of hydrogen (pH), sawdust was weighed and a homogeneous mixture was obtained with distilled water, the pH measurement was taken. According to the statistical analysis, the greater amount of pores and higher density is attributed to Mauria suaveolens with small pores and the lowest quantity and density to Croton lechleri with large pores, being species from different families, they have different organoleptic characteristics, 3 of the species have lenticelated bark, it was determined that the 5 species have a slightly acid pH. It is suggested to identify the species with fertile samples, to develop complementary research with the anatomical study of the wood and the use of the safranin/astrablue for further researches.