Home Cork structural discontinuities studied with X-ray microtomography
Article
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Cork structural discontinuities studied with X-ray microtomography

  • Vanda Oliveira ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Jan Van den Bulcke , Joris Van Acker , Thomas de Schryver and Helena Pereira ORCID logo
Published/Copyright: January 20, 2015
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill

Abstract

Cork is a natural cellular material with a rather unique set of properties, and its best known application is as stopper for wine bottles. The cork tissue contains structural discontinuities, for example, lenticular channels (LCh), that influence the in-use performance of cork products. X-ray microtomography, in combination with image analysis, has been used for cork characterisation and provided new insights into the three-dimensional location of discontinuities, which are hidden for a visual inspection. It was demonstrated that the presence of LCh is positively correlated with cork density, and the void fraction of LCh in the lower part of a cork stopper is strongly related to the oxygen ingress in the bottle during the first month after bottling. The results contribute to better understanding the natural variation of cork properties.


Corresponding author: Vanda Oliveira, Universidade de Lisboa, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Centro de Estudos Florestais (CEF), Tapada da Ajuda, P-1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal, e-mail: .

Acknowledgments

Financial support by the Transnational Access to Research Infrastructures activity in the 7th Framework Programme of the EC under the Trees4Future project (no. 284181) for conducting the research is gratefully acknowledged. This work was partially supported by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme for Competitiveness Factors – COMPETE – and by National Funds under the project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-005421.

The research was carried out under the framework of Centro de Estudos Florestais, a research unit funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (PEst OE/AGR/UI0239/2014). Funding from FCT is acknowledged by the first author as a doctoral student (SFRH/BD/77550/2011). The authors acknowledge the collaboration of Amorim & Irmãos, S. A. in materials supply.

References

Anjos, O., Pereira, H., Rosa, M.E. (2008) Effect of quality, porosity and density on the compression properties of cork. Holz Roh Werkst. 66:295–301.10.1007/s00107-008-0248-2Search in Google Scholar

Anjos, O., Pereira, H., Rosa, M.E. (2011a) Characterization of radial bending properties of cork. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 69:557–563.10.1007/s00107-010-0516-9Search in Google Scholar

Anjos, O., Pereira, H., Rosa, M.E. (2011b) Tensile properties of cork in axial stress and influence of porosity, density, quality and radial position in plank. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 69:85–91.10.1007/s00107-009-0407-0Search in Google Scholar

Anjos, O., Rodrigues, C., Morais, J., Pereira, H. (2014) Effect of density on the compression behaviour of cork. Mater. Des. 53:1089–1096.10.1016/j.matdes.2013.07.038Search in Google Scholar

Axelsson, M., Svensson, S. (2010) 3D pore structure characterization of paper. Pattern Anal. Appl. 13:159–172.10.1007/s10044-009-0146-1Search in Google Scholar

Bessières, J., Maurin, V., George, B., Molina, S., Masson, E., Merlin, A. (2013) Wood-coating layer studies by X-ray imaging. Wood Sci. Technol. 47:853–867.10.1007/s00226-013-0546-7Search in Google Scholar

Boden, S., Schinker, M.G., Duncker, P., Spiecker, H. (2010) Resolution abilities and measuring depth of high-frequency densitometry on wood samples. Measurement 45:1913–1921.10.1016/j.measurement.2012.03.013Search in Google Scholar

Bolte, S., Cordelières, F.P. (2006) A guided tour into subcellular colocalization analysis in light microscopy. J. Microsc. 224:213–232.10.1111/j.1365-2818.2006.01706.xSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

Brabant, L., Vlassenbroeck, J., De Witte, Y., Cnudde, V., Boone, M.N., Dewanckele, J., Van Hoorebeke, L. (2011) Three-dimensional analysis of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography data with Morpho+. Microsc. Microanal. 17:252–263.10.1017/S1431927610094389Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Brunetti, A., Cesareo, R., Golosio, B., Luciano, P., Ruggero, A. (2002) Cork quality estimation by using Compton tomography. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res., Sect. B 196:161–168.10.1016/S0168-583X(02)01289-2Search in Google Scholar

Česen, A., Korat, L., Mauko, A., Legat, A. (2013) Microtomography in building materials. Mater. Technol. 47:661–664.10.1016/j.corsci.2013.05.015Search in Google Scholar

Cnudde, V., Boone, M.N. (2013) High-resolution X-ray computed tomography in geosciences: a review of the current technology and applications. Earth Sci. Rev. 123:1–17.10.1016/j.earscirev.2013.04.003Search in Google Scholar

Dewanckele, J., De Kock, T., Boone, M.A., Cnudde, V., Brabant, L., Boone, M.N., Fronteau, G., Van Hoorebeke, L., Jacobs, P. (2012) 4D imaging and quantification of pore structure modifications inside natural building stones by means of high resolution X-ray CT. Sci. Total Environ. 416:436–448.10.1016/j.scitotenv.2011.11.018Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Dierick, M., Van Loo, D., Masschaele, B., Boone, M.N., Van Hoorebeke, L. (2010) A LabVIEW (R) based generic CT scanner control software platform. J. X-Ray Sci. Technol. 18:451–461.10.3233/XST-2010-0268Search in Google Scholar

Dierick, M., Van Loo, D., Masschaele, B., Van den Bulcke, J., Van Acker, J., Cnudde, L., Van Hoorebeke, L. (2014) Recent micro-CT scanner developments at UGCT. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. Sect. B 324:35–40.10.1016/j.nimb.2013.10.051Search in Google Scholar

Donepudi, V.R., Cesareo, R., Brunetti, A., Zhong, Z., Yuasa, T., Akatsuka, T., Takeda, T., Gigante, G.E. (2010) Cork embedded internal features and contrast mechanisms with DEI using 18, 20, 30, 36, and 40 keV synchrotron X-rays. Res. Nondestr. Eval. 21:171–183.10.1080/09349847.2010.493990Search in Google Scholar

Faria, D.P., Fonseca, A.L., Pereira, H., Teodoro, O.M.N.D. (2011) Permeability of cork to gases. J. Agric. Food Chem. 59:3590–3597.10.1021/jf200491tSearch in Google Scholar PubMed

Fortes, M.A., Rosa, M.E., Pereira, H. A Cortiça. IST Press, Lisbon, 2004.Search in Google Scholar

Godden, P., Lattey, K., Francis, L., Gishen, M., Cowey, G., Holdstock, M., Robinson, E., Waters, E., Skouroumounis, G., Sefton, M., Capone, D., Kwiatkowski, M., Field, J., Coulter, A., D’Costa, N., Bramley, B. (2005) Towards offering wine to the consumer in optimal condition – the wine, the closures and other packaging variables: a review of AWRI research examining the changes that occur in wine after bottling. Wine Ind. J. 20:20–30.Search in Google Scholar

Gonzalez-Adrados, J., Pereira, H. (1996) Classification of defects in cork planks using image analysis. Wood Sci. Technol. 30:207–215.10.1007/BF00231634Search in Google Scholar

Gonzalez-Adrados, J., Lopes, F., Pereira, H. (2000) Quality grading of cork planks with classification models based on defect characterisation. Holz Roh Werkst. 58:39–45.10.1007/s001070050383Search in Google Scholar

González-Hernández, F., González-Adrados, J.R., Gracía de Ceca, J.L., Sánchez-González, M. (2014) Quality grading of cork stoppers based on porosity, density and elasticity. Eur. J. Wood Prod. 72:149–156.10.1007/s00107-013-0760-xSearch in Google Scholar

Helama, S., Bégin, Y., Vartiainen, M., Peltola, H., Kolström, T., Meriläinen, J. (2012) Quantifications of dendrochronological information from contrasting microdensitometric measuring circumstances of experimental wood samples. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 70:1014–1023.10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.03.025Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Hor, Y.L., Federici, J.F., Wample, R.L. (2008) Nondestructive evaluation of cork enclosures using terahertz/millimetre wave spectroscopy and imaging. Appl. Optics 47:72–78.10.1364/AO.47.000072Search in Google Scholar

Ikonen, V.-P., Peltola, H., Wilhelmsson, L., Kilpeläinen, A., Väisänen, H., Nuutinen, T., Kellomäki, S. (2008) Modelling the distribution of wood properties along the stems of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) as affected by silvicultural management. For. Ecol. Manage. 256:1356–1371.10.1016/j.foreco.2008.06.039Search in Google Scholar

Kim, K., Yoon, H., Diez-Silva, M., Dao, M., Dasari, R., Park, Y. (2014) High-resolution three-dimensional imaging of red blood cells parasitized by Plasmodium falciparum and in situ hemozoin crystals using optical diffraction tomography. J. Biomed. Opt. 19: Article 011005.10.1117/1.JBO.19.1.011005Search in Google Scholar

Knapic, S., Pirralho, M., Louzada, J.L., Pereira, H. (2014) Early assessment of density features for 19 Eucalyptus species using X-ray microdensitometry in a perspective of potential biomass production. Wood Sci. Technol. 48:37–49.10.1007/s00226-013-0579-ySearch in Google Scholar

Landis, E.N., Keane, D.T. (2010) X-ray microtomography. Mater. Charact. 61:1305–1316.10.1016/j.matchar.2010.09.012Search in Google Scholar

Longuetaud, F., Mothe, F., Kerautret, B., Krähenbühl, A., Hory, L., Leban, J.M., Debled-Rennesson, I. (2012) Automatic knot detection and measurements from X-ray CT images of wood: a review and validation of an improved algorithm on softwood samples. Comput. Electron. Agric. 85:77–89.10.1016/j.compag.2012.03.013Search in Google Scholar

Lopes, P., Saucier, C., Teissedre, P.-L., Glories, Y. (2007) Main routes of oxygen ingress through different closures into wine bottles. J. Agric. Food Chem. 55:5167–5170.10.1021/jf0706023Search in Google Scholar PubMed

Oliveira, V., Knapic, S., Pereira, H. (2012) Natural variability of surface porosity of wine cork stoppers of different commercial classes. J. Int. Sci. Vigne Vin 46:331–340.10.20870/oeno-one.2012.46.4.1523Search in Google Scholar

Oliveira, V., Lopes, P., Cabral, M., Pereira, H. (2013) Kinetics of oxygen ingress into wine bottles closed with natural cork stoppers of different qualities. Am. J. Enol. Viticult. 64:3. doi:10.5344/ajev.2013.13009.10.5344/ajev.2013.13009Search in Google Scholar

Pereira, H. Cork: Biology, Production and Uses. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2007.10.1016/B978-044452967-1/50013-3Search in Google Scholar

Pereira, H., Lopes, F., Graça, J. (1996) The evaluation of the quality of cork planks by image analysis. Holzforschung 50:111–115.10.1515/hfsg.1996.50.2.111Search in Google Scholar

Phillips, C. (2014) Closure survey report: consistency key in selecting closures. Wine Business Monthly. XXI:18–28.Search in Google Scholar

Ribéreau-Gayon, J. (1933) Dissolution d’oxygène dans les vins. In: Contribution à l’étude des oxidations et réductions dans les vins. Application à l’étude de vieillissement et des cases. Ed. Libraire Delmas. Bordeaux, France. pp. 35.Search in Google Scholar

Ridler, T.W., Calvard, S. (1978) Picture thresholding using an iterative selection method. IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern. SMC-8:630–632.10.1109/TSMC.1978.4310039Search in Google Scholar

Schindelin, J., Arganda-Carreras, I., Frise, E., Kaynig, V., Longair, M., Pietzsch, T., Preibissch, S., Rueden, C., Saalfeld, S., Schmid, B., Tinevez, J.-Y., White, D.J., Hartenstein, V., Eliceiri, K., Tomancak, P., Cardona, A. (2012) Fiji: an open-source platform for biological-image analysis. Nat. Methods 9:676–682.10.1038/nmeth.2019Search in Google Scholar

Taylor, A., Plank, B., Standfest, G., Petutschnigg, A. (2013) Beech wood shrinkage observed at the micro-scale by a time series of X-ray computed tomographs (μXCT). Holzforschung 67:201–205.10.1515/hf-2012-0100Search in Google Scholar

Tran, H., Doumalin, P., Delisee, C., Dupre, J.C., Malvestio, J., Germaneau, A. (2013) 3D mechanical analysis of low-density wood-based fiberboards by X-ray microcomputed tomography and digital volume correlation. J. Mater. Sci. 48:3198–3212.10.1007/s10853-012-7100-0Search in Google Scholar

Van den Bulcke, J., Boone, M., Van Acker, J., Stevens, M., Van Hoorebeke, L. (2009) X-ray tomography as a tool for detailed anatomical analysis. Ann. For. Sci. 66:508.10.1051/forest/2009033Search in Google Scholar

Van den Bulcke, J., Boone, M., Van Acker, J., Van Hoorebeke, L. (2010) High-resolution X-ray imaging and analysis of coatings on and in wood. J. Coat. Technol. Res. 7:271–277.10.1007/s11998-009-9182-4Search in Google Scholar

Van den Bulcke, J., Wernersson, E.L.G., Dierick, M., Van Loo, D., Masschaele, B., Brabant, L., Boone, M.N., Van Hoorebeke, L., Haneca, K., Brun, A., Hendriks, C.L.L., Van Acker, J. (2013) 3D tree-ring analysis using helical X-ray tomography. Dendrochronologia 32:39–46.10.1016/j.dendro.2013.07.001Search in Google Scholar

Vlassenbroeck, J., Dierick, M., Masschaele, B., Cnudde, V., Van Hoorebeke, L., Jacobs, P. (2007) Software tools for quantification of X-ray microtomography at the UGCT. Nucl. Instrum. Meth. Phys. Res. A 580:442–445.10.1016/j.nima.2007.05.073Search in Google Scholar

Wei, Q., Leblon, B., La Rocque, A. (2011) On the use of X-ray computed tomography for determining wood properties: a review. Can. J. For. Res. 41:2120–2140.10.1139/x11-111Search in Google Scholar

Wieland, S., Grünewald, T., Ostrowski, S., Plank, B., Standfest, G., Mies, B., Petutschnigg, A. (2013) Assessment of mechanical properties of wood-leather panels and the differences in the panel structure by means of X-ray computed tomography. BioResources 8:818–832.10.15376/biores.8.1.818-832Search in Google Scholar

Received: 2014-9-9
Accepted: 2014-12-12
Published Online: 2015-1-20
Published in Print: 2016-1-1

©2016 by De Gruyter

Downloaded on 18.9.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/hf-2014-0245/html
Scroll to top button