Anatomical and Chemical Characterization of Xylocarpus moluccensis Wood from West Kalimantan: Implications for Species Identification

Xylocarpus moluccensis has experienced significant population decline concurrent with widespread mangrove forest degradation. However, its wood anatomical and chemical properties remain poorly characterized, limiting both species identification and technological potential assessment. This study aimed to provide comprehensive baseline data on the anatomical and chemical properties of Xylocarpus moluccensis wood to facilitate accurate species identification and support downstream applications. Wood samples were collected from Kayong Utara Regency, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Macroscopic and microscopic anatomical examinations were conducted on transverse, radial, and tangential sections, while chemical composition was determined through quantitative analysis of holocellulose, α-cellulose, hemicellulose, acid-insoluble lignin, alcohol-benzene soluble extractives, and ash content. The wood exhibits brown coloration with heartwood-sapwood demarcation comparable to Xylocarpus granatum. The wood is classified in Strength Class II. Microscopically, Xylocarpus moluccensis is characterized by indistinct growth ring boundaries; diffuse- porous vessel distribution in tangential arrangement; vessels with rounded outlines commonly occurring as radial multiples of two or more and marginal parenchyma forming narrow bands or lines up to three cells in width. Ray cells are predominantly procumbent with a single row of square marginal cells and prismatic crystals occur commonly within square cells of radial rays. Xylocarpus moluccensis exhibits significant differentiation from non-mangrove Meliaceae species, notably through higher vessel frequency and smaller tangential vessel diameters. Xylocarpus moluccensis wood contains 42.45% α-cellulose, 40.37% hemicellulose, 24.61% acid-insoluble lignin, 7.70% alcohol-benzene soluble extractives, and 0.94% ash content. These findings provide essential baseline anatomical and chemical data for wood identification and conservation efforts of this mangrove species.

Cite this article as: Tavita, G. E., Marbun, S. D., M., Amalia, R., Damayanti, R., & Holisoh, S. (2026). Anatomical and chemical characterization of Xylocarpus moluccensis wood from West Kalimantan: implications for species identification. Forestist, 76, 0190, doi: 10.5152/forestis.2026.26190.