ABSTRACT
Wood analysis comprises the determination of the wood components as well as the isolation, purification. and characterization of the wood constituents. Wood is chemically heterogeneous and its components can be divided into two groups: structural components of high molecular weight (cellulose, polyoses or hemicelluloses. and lignin), which are the major cell wall components: and nonstructural components of low molecular weight (extractives and inorganic compounds). The macromolecular components are not uniformly distributed in wood cells. and their concentration changes from one morphological region to another. Therefore. knowledge about the distribution of chemical components in the cell walls is of great importance to understanding the properties of wood. The chemical composition of wood varies from species to species. ln generaL hardwoods contain more hemicellulose than softwoods but less lignin. Figure I shows the typical composition of hardwoods and softwoods [ 1].
