Effect of the seasoning method on the chemical composition of oak heartwood to cooperage.

The effect of various oak wood seasoning methods, natural seasoning in open air, artificial seasoning in a kiln, and a mixed method that combines open air and kiln drying, on the chemical composition in American ( Quercus alba) and French ( Quercus petraea) oak was studied. The results confirm the evolution of ellagitannins in wood, low molecular polyphenols, and volatile compounds in relation to oak species and seasoning method. Natural seasoning in open air can be considered a superior method to mixed or artificial drying for wood seasoning in cooperage. It was more effective in reducing the excess of ellagitannins, especially in French oak wood. Moreover, the evolution of wood volatile compounds was more positive in the natural seasoning than mixed or artificial drying, since it led to woods with higher aromatic potential (larger concentrations of compounds such as volatile phenols, phenolic aldehydes, furanic compounds, and cis- and trans-beta-methyl-gamma-octalactones) than mixed or artificial methods. However, the three seasoning methods showed similar effectiveness regarding the desired reduction of off-flavors compounds.