**4.1. Bamboo human food products**

Lee and Wang [70] used lysine-based diisocyanate (LDI) as a coupling agent for polylactic acid/bamboo fibre and poly(butylenes succinate)/bamboo fibre composites which improved their tensile and water resistance properties. Two novel bifunctional monomers, namely isocyanatoethyl-methacrylate and N-methylol acrylamide, have been used as the coupling agents to strength the interface of bamboo fibre/unsaturated polyester composites [71, 72].

A recently reported work reported an improved interfacial strength between poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and bamboo flour in PVC/bamboo flour composites using novel coupling agents [73]. One pot synthesis generated the coupling agents. The increased content of the coupling agents used increased the morphological and mechanical properties of composites. The result revealed that coupling agent enhanced the affinity between fibre and polyvinyl matrix by lowering down the interfacial tension. SEM studies carried out showed a better dispersion of fibre into the PVC matrix due to an increased amount of coupling agents used. The enhancement in mechanical properties was also an indication of strong bonding between matrix and

Dilute acid pre-treatment of bamboo shoots shell fibre (BSSF) and bamboo stem and leaf (BSL) have been investigated for xylose and glucose yields [42]. Pre-treatment of bamboo (*Dendrocalamus asper*) with dilute sulphuric acid before enzymatic hydrolysis process to produce fermentable sugars has also been investigated [38]. Dilute phosphoric acid pre-treatment

Recently in another study, a solvent (concentrated phosphoric acid) and organic solvent (95% ethanol)-based lignocellulose fractionation (COSLIF) methods have been developed to pre-

Bamboo plays a significant role as a material for consumer products. With its high growth rate, a wide range of applications and renewability, bamboo resources occupy a noteworthy position in the twenty-first century as a versatile and vital raw material [20]. Besides, it is recognised as an industrial raw material globally and has tremendous potentials for economic development of nations [75]. The bamboo potential as an industrial raw material is linked to its agronomical and technological characteristics [2]. Given its proprieties, bamboo continues to be used for the production of new products. The multi-functional ranges of bamboo uses have shown that it may prove beneficial as a valuable and sustainable natural resource [76]. In China, it is the valuable raw material for the booming bamboo industry. Bamboo has been known to find large applications for both food and non-food industries. At present, there are about 3000 companies around the world that are engaged in the production of various bamboobased products [77]. Bamboo provides food, shelter and medicine and serves as raw material for many industries. It has found application in different industrial sectors including civil construction, wood, paper and pulp, textile, electrical and electronics, agriculture and agro-allied, food, chemical and pharmaceutical, reinforcement, automobile and medicine. Some bamboobased products include house construction materials, household items, biofuel, chemical and pharmaceutical products, pulp and paper, irrigation and drainage pipes and textiles materials, panels, flooring materials, charcoal, edible shoots and other daily-use articles [75, 77]. The use

of bamboo was also studied for producing dissolving pulp for textile utilisation [74].

bamboo fibre [73].

32 Bamboo - Current and Future Prospects

treat bamboo [34].

**4. Utilisation of bamboo resources**

Bamboo is a good source of food particularly the shoot. It is a delicacy in Asia. In India, young and tender bamboo shoots are used as a seasonal vegetable in both rural and urban areas [78]. It has been reported to include natural products, such as potassium, carbohydrates, dietary fibres, vitamins and other active materials, which are used for traditional food in many countries [79] and further conversion of these carbohydrates, give rise to other products like xylitol. Figures of nutrient contents of *Bambusa vulgaris* show it to contain crude protein (10.1 g), crude fibre (21.7 g), ether extract (2.5 g), ash (21.3 g), phosphorous (86 mg), iron (13.4 mg), vitamin B1 (0.1 mg), vitamins B2 (2.54 mg) and carotene (12.3 mg)/100 g).

Tea made from the bamboo leaf is rich in silica, which is important in bone and other rigid tissue health. Silica improves bone health, strengthens hair and nails, improves dental health and make the skin more elastic and healthy [80]. Bamboo leaf tea is a low-calorie health food, which is rich in protein and fibre, but free of caffeine. As many cups as possible can be taken as bamboo tea stimulates metabolism without side effects [3]. The common species of bamboo for this purpose are given in **Table 5**.
