Variations of the fundamental chemical components in Moso bamboo ( Phyllostachys pubescens )

The utilization of bamboo as a substitute for wood or plastic signifies an imperative pathway towards achieving global sustainable development. The conduct of comprehensive and systematic research on the variations in the fundamental chemical compositions can offer scientific and theoretical guidance for the efficient and rational high-value utilization of bamboo. In this study, the variations of the content of primary chemical components in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) were systematically investigated by considering height and radial locations. This was achieved through using comprehensive chemical analysis and infrared spectroscopy methods, with an additional investigation into the impact of nodes on these variations. The results indicated that the fundamental chemical components of Moso bamboo consisted of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. The cellulose content ranged from 36% to 40%, the hemicelluloses content ranged from 25% to 28%, and the lignin content ranged from 26% to 34%. The cellulose content decreased with increasing culm height, while it demonstrated a gradual increase during the transition from the inner to the outer layer of the wall. The cellulose content of the internodes was higher than that of the nodes. The variation in cellulose content was more pronounced in the radial direction compared to that in vertical direction. However, the hemicelluloses and lignin content in the bamboo culm showed no statistical differences. The abundant resource advantage of bamboo in China can provide a valuable resource benefit for the classification and utilization of its three fundamental chemical components. The findings derived can provide a reliable basis for establishing a scientific theoretical foundation to optimize the value-added utilization of bamboo.