Evaluation of fuel wood quality of four tree species used for fish smoking in the Sene district of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana

Abstract

The fuel wood quality of four trees, Terminalia avicennoides, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Combretum ghasalense and Pterocarpus erinaceus, which are easily available and widely used as fuel wood for fish smoking in the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana, was assessed. The specific gravity, calorific values, and burning times were determined. The mean specific gravity values for T avicennoides, A. leiocarpus, C. ghasalense, and P. erinaceus were 0.97, 0.96, 0.96, and 0.97, respectively. These values were not significantly different (P0.05). The calorific values were 19,368.0 kJlkg for T. avicennoides, 18,905.2 kJ/kg for A. leiocarpus, 18,665.8 kJ/kg for C. ghasalense, and 19,694.1 kJ/kg for P. erinaceus. The values were not significantly different (P0.05) between T avicennoides and A. leiocarpus, T. avicennoides and P. erinaceus, and A. leiocarpus and C. ghasalense. However, there were significant differences (P0.05) in the calorific values between T. avicennoides and C. ghasalense, A. leiocarpus and P. erinaceus, and C. ghasalense and P. erinaceus. The time in minutes required in burning equal lengths (60 cm) of the four species of fuelwood were 360 for T. avicennoides, 260 for A. leiocarpus,195 for C. ghasalense, and 175 for P. erinaceus. Thesevalues were significantly different (PO.OI), with P.erinaceus burning almost twice as fast as T. avicennoides.Ranking the four fuel wood species from least to highestburning times, T. avicennoides burnt slowest, fol1owed byA. leiocarpus, C. ghasalense, and P. erinaceus. The specificgravity and calorific values recorded indicate that woodfrom the four species is suitable for use as fuel. Terminalia avicennoides, which burnt slowest, was most preferred for fish smoking, followed by A. leiocarpus and C. ghasalense. The fast-burning P. erinaceus was least preferred for fish smoking