Abstract

Preservative potential of Cola nitida and Musanga cecropioides extracts as an effective preservative against brown rot fungus (Sclerotiumrolfsil) on Gmelina arborea and Pinus carribeae wood samples was studied. Samples were dimensioned 20 x 20 x 60 mm and analysis of variance α = 0.05 was used to analyse the data obtained. Results however revealed that Pinus carribeae had the highest moisture content compared to Gmelina arborea with the mean values of 29.53 ± 0.82 and 18.58 ± 0.65, respectively. Also it was established that Gmelina arborea in Cola nitida hot water extract had the highest absorption rate than ethanol extract with mean values of 17.52 ± 2.43 and 13.65 ± 1.92, 17.63 ± 2.71 and 12.02 ± 1.45, respectively. Also, Pinus carribeae hot water extraction had the highest absorption rate with mean values 37.32 ± 3.65 and 32.26 ± 2.56, 37.65±3.65 and 32.26 ± 2.56, respectively. This indicated the weight loss (kg/m3) of Gmelina arborea range from 11.41 ± 1.78 to 17.09 ± 3.83 for hot water extraction across the extracts. While it ranged from 12.04 ± 1.99 to 17.45 ± 5.64 for ethanol extraction method. Pinus carribeae exhibited weight loss ranges between 6.21 ± 3.90 to 17.03 ± 4.68, respectively for hot water extraction method and 0.51±0.22 to 20.05±0.67, respectively for ethanol extraction method. These results established that the two plants extract as an effective bio preservative on wood.