Investigation of Differences between Parenchyma Cells and Fibers in Bamboo: From Chemical and Structural Features to Pretreatment Responses

Based on the distinct structural and functional characteristics of bamboo, the development of precise technologies for bamboo utilization offers a critical direction for future advancement in this field. At the cellular level, bamboo tissue consists mainly of parenchyma cells and fibers. However, most studies focused on the development and utilization using a one-pot method, without separating these two cells. In this study, we characterized and utilized parenchyma cells and fibers that were mechanically isolated from moso bamboo. A series of analytical techniques were employed to systematically analyze the chemical composition and molecular structure of the two cells. The significant difference in the major cell wall components between parenchyma cells and fibers was the primary reason for their distinct responses during enzymatic digestibility and pretreatment. Additionally, lignin-containing cellulose nanofibrils (LCNFs) derived from alkali-treated parenchyma cells showed a diameter smaller than that of fibres. This study systematically elucidates the compositional, structural, and pretreatment differences between bamboo parenchyma cells and fibers, providing a theoretical foundation for the targeted utilization of bamboo cells and the development of high-value bamboo-based materials.