The application of chromatography and complementary techniques for wood identification - state of the art and future directions

Wood identification, whether it involves distinguishing between known species or identifying unfamiliar wood samples, is a scientific field increasingly valuable across various disciplines ranging from biology to criminology, structural engineering, and art conservation. It carries a growing economic, commercial, social, and ecological significance. Numerous scientific methods have been employed for wood identification. Visual analysis techniques, such as macroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray tomography, and computer-assisted wood identification, play a pivotal role. Analytical approaches like mass spectrometry, near-infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and DNA barcoding have also been utilised. However, chromatography stands out due to its exceptional precision in providing quantitative and qualitative results, prompting its development and widespread use. This paper offers a critical review of the role of chromatography in wood identification. Advantages are highlighted, including the capability to identify specific components unique to each wood species, thus achieving remarkable differentiation at the species level. Additionally, potential drawbacks are discussed, such as the time-intensive sample preparation procedures, mainly when dealing with materials like wood-polymer composites (WPC), and the absence of an open-source database. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a broader perspective on the possibilities and limitations of this technique.