Detecting Early Degradation of Wood Ultrastructure with Nonlinear Optical Imaging and Fluorescence Lifetime Analysis

Year: 2024

Authors: Dal Fovo A., Cicchi R., Gagliardi C., Baria E., Fioravanti M., Fontana R.

Autors Affiliation: CNR, Natl Inst Opt, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; European Lab Nonlinear Spect Lens, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Agr Food Environm & Forestry Sci & Technol DA, Piazzale Cascine 18, I-50144 Florence, Italy; Univ Florence, Dept Phys & Astron, Via Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: Understanding the deterioration processes in wooden artefacts is essential for accurately assessing their conservation status and developing effective preservation strategies. Advanced imaging techniques are currently being explored to study the impact of chemical changes on the structural and mechanical properties of wood. Nonlinear optical modalities, including second harmonic generation (SHG) and two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF), combined with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), offer a promising non-destructive diagnostic method for evaluating lignocellulose-based materials. In this study, we employed a nonlinear multimodal approach to examine the effects of artificially induced delignification on samples of Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European beech (Fagus sylvatica) subjected to increasing treatment durations. The integration of SHG/TPEF imaging and multi-component fluorescence lifetime analysis enabled the detection of localized variations in nonlinear signals and tau-phase of key biopolymers within wood cell walls. This methodology provides a powerful tool for early detection of wood deterioration, facilitating proactive conservation efforts of wooden artefacts.

Journal/Review: POLYMERS

Volume: 16 (24)      Pages from: 3590-1  to: 3590-11

More Information: This research was funded by PNRR H2IOSC (Humanities and Cultural Heritage ItalianOpen Science Cloud) Project (IR0000029), CUP_B63C22000730005, funded by Next Generation EU. The contents reflect only the authors’ view, and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
KeyWords: two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF); second harmonic generation (SHG); fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM); lignin; cellulose; hemicellulose; wood deterioration; delignification
DOI: 10.3390/polym16243590