New insights into bamboo's chemical structure

This research investigates the chemical composition, thermal stability, and structural characteristics of hemicellulose and LCCs extracted from bamboo green, core, and yellow tissues, revealing key differences that could enhance bamboo utilization.

Bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable resource, is widely used in construction, household products, and the pulp and paper industry. Understanding the chemical structures of its components is crucial for optimizing its use. The study, titled "Structural characteristics of hemicelluloses and lignin-carbohydrate complexes in alkaline-extracted bamboo green, core, and yellow," used alkaline treatment to extract hemicellulose and LCCs from different bamboo tissues. The researchers analyzed the chemical composition, thermal stability, and structural characteristics of these components using various techniques, including ion chromatography, thermogravimetric analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The results showed that the extraction yield of hemicellulose varied significantly among the different tissues, with bamboo yellow yielding the highest amount. The hemicellulose in bamboo green primarily originated from the secondary wall of fiber cells and parenchyma cell walls, while those in bamboo core and yellow originated from both the inner and outer layers of fiber cells and parenchyma cell walls. The LCCs from bamboo core and yellow contained a large number of phenyl glycoside bonds, indicating their origin from parenchyma cell walls.

The study also revealed differences in the thermal stability of hemicellulose and LCCs across the tissues. Hemicellulose from bamboo green exhibited higher thermal stability, while LCCs from bamboo yellow showed higher thermal stability during degradation. These findings provide valuable data for the high-value utilization of different bamboo tissues and could guide future biorefining processes.

In conclusion, this research offers detailed insights into the structural differences of hemicellulose and LCCs in various bamboo tissues, highlighting their potential for targeted optimization in biorefining and the development of novel bio-based materials.

See the article:

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobab.2025.01.004

Original Source URL

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2369969825000131

Journal

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts