Possibilities and challenges for harnessing tree bark extracts for wood adhesives and green chemicals and its prospects in Nepal
Sudip Pandey, Poonam Pant
Abstract
Tree bark contains anti-microbial, antioxidant, and anticancer compounds and are therefore widely used by pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries as raw materials. Bark provides raw materials for adhesives, insulating materials, and even water purification. The article reviews the utilization of tree bark as a source of green chemicals and adhesives and the possibilities of their application in Nepal. The study also shows the direct utilization of bark as an insulating material and the extraction of chemicals as therapeutic. The extraction of chemicals from bark differs from species to species due to variations in chemical compositions. The study shows that despite the versatility of tree bark, Nepal hasn’t been using its benefits and utilized it just as waste. Finally, this paper discusses the perspective and challenges in the production of chemicals and materials from the bark.