Evaluation of sorghum flour as extender in plywood adhesives for sprayline coaters or foam extrusion

This study was conducted to evaluate sorghum flour as protein extender in phenol-formaldehyde-based plywood adhesive for sprayline coaters or foam extrusion. Defatted sorghum flour, containing 0.2% (db) residual oil and 12.0% (db) crude protein, was analyzed for solubility and foaming properties. Sorghum flour proteins were least soluble (≤12%) under acidic pH, most soluble (72%) at pH 10, and produced substantial and highly stable foam at pH 10. Sorghum flour was substituted (on protein content basis) for wheat flour in the standard glue mix. Mixing properties and bond strength of the sorghum-based glue were compared with those of the industry standard glue. The sorghum flour-based adhesive had mixing properties and appearance that were superior to those of the standard wheat flour-based plywood glue, but its viscosity and bond strength were markedly less. Doubling the amount of protein contributed by sorghum flour in the glue mix markedly improved both viscosity (1104 cP) and adhesion strength (1.37 MPa) of the sorghum-based plywood glue to acceptable levels. The modified sorghum flour-based plywood glue also produced foam that remained stable up to 3 h. These results demonstrated that sorghum flour is a viable extender in plywood glues for sprayline coater or foam extrusion.