extractives

Any number of different compounds in biomass that are not an integral part of the cellular structure. The compounds can be extracted from wood by means of polar and non-polar solvents including hot or cold water, ether, benzene, methanol, or other solvents that do not degrade the biomass structure. The types of extractives found in biomass samples are entirely dependent upon the sample itself. (Source: Fengel, D.; Gerd, W. Wood Chemistry, Ultrastructure, and Reactions. Berlin-New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1989.)