VARIATION IN LIGNIN CONTENT OF SIX SPECIES OF THAI RATTAN

Abstract

Lignin content was analysed from six species of large cane rattan. The species selected were Calamus manan (waai kho dam), Calamus sp. (waai nam phueng), C.longisetus (waai kam phuan), C.rudentum (waai khee sian), C.scipionum (waai kam) and Calamus sp. (waai phiu boh). TAPPI standard T 13 m - 54 was modified to analyse the lignin. Samples were collected at the fifth internode and at every other ten internodes up to the top internode of the cane. The lignin content found fluctuated even within the single cane of each individual species but there was no fixed pattern of variation among the species. These non - specific patterns of variation reveal that there is no relationship between age of the cane and amount of lignin deposited in the cane. The lignin content however differed greatly between species. Calamus manan and Calamus sp. (waai nam phueng) are the species which contained the smallest amount of lignin, 12.081 & and 22.512 % respectively. While C.longisetus, C.rudentum and Calamus sp. (waai phiu boh) are the species which produced the greatest amount of lignin. The two species with low lignin content are known as better grade canes in the trade.