40—THE IDENTIFICATION OF DAMAGE TO LIGNIFIED FIBRES A NEW MICROSCOPICAL TEST USING IODINE AND SULPHURIC ACID

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Abstract
A new microscopical staining test for identifying the nature of damage to lignified fibres is described. The fibres under examination are first treated with cold 1.6N sodium hydroxide solution, and placed in two drops of 0.5% iodine solution on a microscope slide. The surplus iodine is withdrawn and the fibres are mounted in glycerol and sulphuric acid, (3 vol. glycerol, 3 vol. concentrated sulphuric acid, 1 vol. water) and examined after allowing time for the colours to develop. Undamaged fibres are stained yellow, as are fibres that have suffered fungal damage or attack by acids or acid oxidizing solutions. The action of heat, light, weather, and alkaline oxidizing solutions gives fibres that take green or blue stains. By counting the fibres stained yellow, green or blue, it is possible to determine the nature of damage to the fibres. To confirm fungal or acid damage, other information is required. The method has been used successfully in examining damaged jute and sisal materials and could doubtless be adapted for the examination of other lignified fibres.

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