earticle

영어

Cork is a part of the periderm in the outer bark of cork oak that covers the stem and branches. Worldwide, cork is commonly known as a sealant in wine bottles. Cork has outstanding properties, such as low density, low permeability to liquids and gases, low conductivity, chemical stability and durability, and high compressibility. There are three types of cork in the cork industry: virgin cork, second cork, and reproduction cork. Virgin and second cork have deep fractures and a distorted structure and are commonly used as agglomerate products, whereas reproduction cork has an even surface and is the most essential material for making solid products such as wine stoppers. Quercus suber reproduction cork is the main resource of cork in the world because it has a large quantity of cork in its periderm. In Korea, Quercus variabilis is abundant and a common commercial wood species. Quercus variabilis is another species that has large quantity of cork in its periderm. However, there is still a lack of information regarding the quality of Quercus variabilis cork grown in Korea. Therefore, to give further valuable insight for effective utilization of cork resource, the present study investigated the qualitative anatomical characteristics such as growth ring characteristics, lenticular channel, and cellular cork structure of Quercus variabilis virgin cork grown in Korea and compared with those of Quercus suber reproduction cork grown in Portugal. The qualitative anatomical characteristics of both species were observed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, and the results of this study will be presented at the International Symposium.