Preliminary studies of the effects of crude opepe ( Nauclea diderrichii) timber extractives on timber biodeterioration

A preliminary laboratory investigation of the effects of opepe timber ( Nauclea diderrichii) extractives on biodeterioration of timber was carried out using Pleurotus ostreatus, Gloeophyllum sepiarium and Gloeophyllum sp. as test fungi. The removal of the extractives decreased the decay-resistance of the opepe wood. Impregnation of extracted obeche ( Triplochiton scleroxylon) wood with ethanolic opepe wood extractives significantly increased decay-resistance. Synergism was observed in the resistance to deterioration by P. ostreatus in obeche impregnated with a mixture of water and ethanol extractives.