Removing Sapstain of Radiata Pine by Bleaching

The feasibility of using bleaching treatments for removing fungal stain was evaluated on heavily stained raiadta pine sapwood. Sodium chlorite and sodium hypochlorite appeared to destain fungal discoloration by providing proper treatment conditions (chemical concentration, treatment temperature, and treatment time), while hydrogen peroxide did not remove fungal stain under the bleaching regimes evaluated. The addition of sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide in the hydrogen peroxide solution as a buffer could remove fungal discoloration completely; however, the color of wood surface turned faint green after bleaching, thereby reducing the lightness of bleached samples. The results suggest that hydrogen peroxide bleaching could be a feasible method for removing fungal discoloration of stained radiata pine sapwood, although further research is needed to solve the problem of color change after bleaching. Also, further tests under field conditions are recommended.