Physio-Chemical Properties of Bamboo Genetic Resources at Various Age Gradations

Abstract

Five age gradations of seven Bamboo species viz., Bambusa bambos, Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa vulgaris var. vulgaris, Bambusa vulgaris var. striata, Bambusa balcooa, Bambusa tulda and Bambusa polymorpha were subjected to physical and chemical analysis in order to recommend suitable species at reasonable rotation age for pulp and paper production. All the five age gradations exhibited considerable differences for physical and chemical properties in Bamboo genetic resources. Considering physical properties viz., bulk and basic density, all the age gradation were moderate to high in range which indicated their suitability as pulpwood. In proximate analysis, characters viz., Ash content, Hot water solubility, 1% NaOH Solubility, Alcohol benzene extractives, Acid insoluble lignin, Pentosans and Hollocellulose were analysed. The different age gradations of various bamboo genetic resources differ significantly for holocellulose, which constitutes the cellulose and hemi-cellulose (essential factors for paper production). Among the five age gradations, the superiority of five-year-old Bambusa balcooa was evident due to maximum holocellulose content, low ash content and moderate the lignin content.