Effect of Culm Age and Height on the Chemical Properties tf The Culm in Different Bamboo Species

This research aims to investigate the chemical properties of bamboo species in Ethiopia on the influence of age and height of the culm. The chemical properties of bamboo species in Ethiopia were not investigated so far from the other research work using the current research factors. The percentage of cellulose content is higher value recorded compared to hemicelluloses content. The percentage of lignin content of Injibara and Mekaneselam is higher compared to hemicelluloses content. However, the percentage of hemicelluloses of Kombolcha bamboo fibres is higher compared to lignin content.

As a result of this research, we observed small but significant increases in cellulose and lignin content from the bottom to top along the culm at all age. Bamboo species fibres increased cellulose content when the culm age older. The hemicellulose content of Injibara, and Kombolcha bamboo fibres is a slight increase along the culm height toward top position, whereas Mekaneselam bamboo fibre slightly decreased from the bottom to top position.

Cellulose content of Injibara, Kombolch, and Mekaneselam bamboo fibres is 49.12–50.17%, 43.25–49.02%, and 53.06–53.93%, hemicelluloses content is 19.12–21.78%, 19.31–23.89%, and 16.51–19.06% at the ages of 1–3 years old, respectively. Furthermore, lignin content is 19.16–22.48% and 19.29–22.59% at the ages of 1–3 years old, respectively.

This result demonstrated that bamboo species in Ethiopia can be a source of feedstock for lignocelluloses ethanol and bamboo fibres composite production since it has higher cellulose content.

Keywords:Age; Bamboo species; Cellulose; Hemicelluloses; Lignin; Culm height