Changes in the content of extractives in silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) bark due to different storage conditions

Hrovatič, Peter (author), Poljanšek, Ida (author), Osolnik, Urša (author), Oven, Primož (author), Vek, Viljem (author)

The circular economy promotes the use of industrial by-products as raw materials for high-quality products. Silver fir bark (Abies alba Mill.), a low-value residue from wood processing, is a rich source of polyphenols with antioxidant properties. This study investigated how bark preparation (particle size) and storage conditions affect the content of total extractives, polyphenols, and condensed tannins in aqueous extracts over a 10-month period. Bark samples of two particle sizes were stored either outdoors (exposed to precipitation) or indoors (dry, dark conditions). The extracts were analyzed monthly by gravimetry and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that both particle size and storage conditions significantly influenced the retention of extractives and polyphenols in the samples. The highest losses occurred in ground bark samples stored outdoors, while the best retention was achieved with larger bark particles stored in a covered, dry environment. These findings highlight the importance of optimized storage strategies for the preservation of bark quality as a source of bioactive compounds.

• Language: English
• Keywords: silver fir, Abies alba Mill., tree biomass, extraction, polyphenols, storage conditions, particle size, chemical monitoring
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: BF - Biotechnical Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2025
• Number of pages: 12 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 83, iss. 6, art. 186
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-175456
• UDC: 630*8
• ISSN on article: 1436-736X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00107-025-02338-5
• COBISS.SI-ID: 254930179
• Publication date in RUL: 28.10.2025

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: European journal of wood and wood products
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 1436-736X
• COBISS.SI-ID: 22253061

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: bela jelka, Abies alba Mill., drevesna biomasa, ekstrakcija, polifenoli, pogoji skladiščenja, velikost delcev, monitoring kemijske sestave