materials Article Impact of Three Natural Oily Extracts as Pulp Additives on the Mechanical, Optical, and Antifungal Properties of Paper Sheets Made from Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Meryta sinclairii Wood Branches Mohamed Z. M. Salem 1,* , Wael A. A. Abo Elgat 2 , Ayman S. Taha 3, Yahia G. D. Fares 4 and Hayssam M. Ali 5,* 1 Forestry and Wood Technology Department, Faculty of Agriculture (EL-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt 2 Restoration Department, High Institute of Tourism, Hotel Management and Restoration, Abukir, Alexandria 21526, Egypt;
[email protected] 3 Conservation Department, Faculty of Archaeology, Aswan University, Aswan 81528, Egypt;
[email protected] 4 Laboratory and Research, Misr Edfu Pulp Writing and Printing Paper Co. (MEPPCO), Aswan 81656, Egypt;
[email protected] 5 Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia * Correspondence:
[email protected] (M.Z.M.S.);
[email protected] (H.M.A.) Received: 25 February 2020; Accepted: 9 March 2020; Published: 12 March 2020 Abstract: In the pulp and paper industry, several studies have been done to improve and enhance the properties of the mechanical, optical, and antimicrobial activities of pulp produced with different additives. In the present study, pulp of wood branches (WBs) from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. and Meryta sinclairii (Hook.f.) Seem. was treated with n-hexane oily extracts (HeOE) from Melia azedarach L. fruits, Magnolia grandiflora L. leaves, and Sinapis alba L. seeds as additives at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% based on oven-dry pulp weight. Measured mechanical properties were higher in paper sheets made from E.