Anatomical, physical, and chemical characterization of native Caatinga wood species using integrated microscopic and spectroscopic techniques

Abstract The Caatinga biome in northeastern Brazil hosts diverse tree species with anatomical and chemical adaptations to semi-arid conditions. This study characterizes the wood of seven native species – Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil (Griseb.) Altschul, Poincianella bracteosa (Tul.) L. P. Queiroz, Cnidoscolus quercifolius Pohl, Mimosa ophthalmocentra Mart. ex Benth, Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir., Bauhinia cheilantha (Bong.) Steud., and Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart. – through anatomical, physical, and chemical analyses. Wood structure was assessed by light and scanning electron microscopy; basic density was determined by immersion. FTIR and Raman spectroscopy were used to identify functional groups and calculate cellulose crystallinity. Density ranged from 430 to 850 kg/m 3 ; crystallinity ranged from 34.5 % to 78.3 %. Higher density species are suitable for structural, and composite uses due to their superior mechanical properties, while lower-density woods may favor pulp production, though higher density is generally preferred for energy purposes. This integrated analysis supports species identification and highlights the corrected use and relevance of Caatinga woods.