Alcohol-benzene solubles and ash content from heartwood and sapwood of Gelam (Melaleuca cajuputi) / Ahmad Bakhtiar Alias

The percentage of extraneous component and ash content in Gelam (Melaleuca cajuputi) was determined from heartwood and sapwood in accordance to TAPPI standard. In both cases, heartwood contains high amount of extractives and low amount of ash. Sapwood contains low amount of extractive but high amount of ash. These values of high and low extractive and ash content could serve as good indication for better utilization especially when machining and during chemical recovery of black liquor in manufacture of chemical pulp. Knowledge on the extractive and ash content for example, would enable a mill to take positive measures in their effort to minimize problems related to pulping of wood containing substantial extractive and ash contents.