Relationship between density and aesthetic attributes of wood and preference of Malagasy consumers.

摘要

Context: The knowledge of consumer preferences in wood furniture is crucial for the wood processing industries. Aim: This study aims to identify the attributes of wood that affect the preferences of consumers from the city of Antananarivo, Madagascar, for wooden furnishings. Methods: Quantitative measurements of the density and aesthetic properties of 12 wood species were carried out. The properties measured were the colour in the CIEL*a*b* colour space, the texture through greyscale image processing, and the density. Then, the wood specimens were subjected to sensory analysis with 100 consumers. Results: The results showed that the "density" was a prime criterion in choosing a wood species. Concerning the visual aspect, Antananarivo consumers generally liked slightly dark wood colour (L* around 52), tending towards yellow, with a visible oriented texture. The influence of socio-economic factors was also highlighted. Conclusion: These results are of prime importance in the search for alternative species to replace precious woods that are becoming rare.