Released Volatile Organic Compounds in Southern Yellow Pine before and after Heat Treatment

Abstract

As the main material in indoor furniture, southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.) releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment during use. To better understand variations in the contents of VOCs in southern yellow pine before and after heat treatment, this study conducts dry heat treatment on southern yellow pine at 140 °C and 220 °C. Headspace solid phase micro-extraction was used to extract VOCs from southern yellow pine. The VOCs of southern yellow pine before and after heat treatment were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and chemical component differences were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results reveal 86 VOCs in pure southern yellow pine, including alcohols, aromatics, acids, aldehydes, alkanes, alkenes, and some trace compounds (e.g., furans, ketones, phenols, and esters). With an increase in heat-treatment temperature, the contents of alkanes increased, whereas those of alcohols and alkenes decreased. The contents of aromatics, acids, and aldehydes were highest when heat treated at 140 °C. At 220 °C, the total contents of key VOCs in southern yellow pine were lowest.