**4.2. Bamboo charcoal**

Bamboo charcoal can be used in different industries including chemical, pharmaceutical and energy production industries (**Table 5**). Recent studies have shown that bamboo species are also a good source of quality activated carbon, which can find application in medicine, foods, chemical and metallurgical industries. Activated bamboo charcoal has found application in cleaning the environment, absorbing excess moisture and producing medicines [81]. Bamboo charcoal is generally used by goldsmith and in gardening to prevent moisture available to plants particularly in Japan [78].

Bamboo charcoals are multi-functional materials pyrolysed from bamboo under anaerobic conditions. During this pyrolytic process, bamboo is converted to stable charcoal. It serves as a substitute for wood charcoal or mineral coal and has been reported to possess absorption capacity which is six times that of wood charcoal of the same weight [3, 14]. Hence, it is a suitable absorbent. Studies have also revealed their uses as absorbent for dyes [82–85], heavy metal [86, 87], organic pollutants [88] and other substances [89, 90]. Other applications include for purification of waters, soils and sediments contaminated by PAHs; for environmental protection and architectural decorations [91] and as conductor and fuel [14].


However, bamboo is a green biofuel for fighting deforestation and climate change [92]. Because of its excellent characteristics, some countries are renewing their bioenergy strategies to include bamboo. It is worthy of note that a bamboo fuelled power station is being built in Mizoram state of India to help meet the energy need of India's northeast [93]. Bamboo may, therefore, serve as the key to combating energy problem, especially in developing nations if

**Bamboo species Bamboo products References**

Bamboo vegetable, bamboo edible shoots, bakery products, diary products, meat and aquatic products

Bamboo cloth, bamboo rayon, bamboo linen

Hardware for electronics, wrist watches, chains, fan

Antioxidants, flavonoids

Ornamental plants, bamboo livestock feeds

blades

Miura et al. [107], Okumura et al. [2], Xuhe [77], Parajó et al. [108], Nabarlatz et al. [109], Vazquez et al. [110], Aoyama and Seki [111], Aoyama and Seki [112], Chongtham et al. [113], Borah et al. [78]

35

Bamboo, Its Chemical Modification and Products http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76359

> Teli and Sheikh [54], Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3], Waite and

Lee and Wang [70]

Mekuriaw et al. [115]

Hu et al. [116], Jiao et al. [117], Xie et al.

[118]

Platts [114]

*Dendrocalamus asper, D. hamiltonii, D. brandisii, D. strictus, D. latifloru, Bambusa blumenn,B. tulda, B. nutans, B. balcooa, B. polymorpha, B. pallida, Thyrsostachys oliveri, Gigantochloa albociliata, Melocanna baccifera*

*Phyllostachys edulis and Bambusa emeiensis*

*G. brang, G. levis, G. scortechini, G. wrayi*

*Oxytenanthera abyssinica*

*Phyllostachys Sieb. et Zucc.* family (especially *P. nigra* var. *henonis*, *P. edulis* and *P. bambusoides, Bambusa bambos, Pleioblastus amarus, B. spinosa*

Automobile Culm *Guadua augustifolia* Prototype of door trim Khalil et al. [15]

Culm *Guadua augustifolia,* 

Leaves *Yushania alpina* and

Bamboos have agronomical and technological characteristics highly essential to obtain cellulose [2]. Their potential and utilisation for cellulose, bio-ethanol and other related products have been studied. It has been recognised as a useful resource for this purpose due to its higher growth rate, annual biomass yield and significant amount of sugars [2, 21]. He et al. [21] reported that bio-ethanol production from bamboo can also follow the general process for ethanol production from other lignocellulosic materials, which including pre-treatment,

adopted. Common bamboo species that can be used for this purpose (see **Table 5**).

**4.3. Bamboo cellulose and alcohol**

**Industry Part of** 

Textile Leaves,

Medicine Leaves,

Electrical and electronics

Agricultural and agro-allied

**bamboo**

woody shoot

culm, stem, sap

**Table 5.** Bamboo industries, parts, species and products.

Food and cottage Shoot, culm *D. latiflorus,* 


**Table 5.** Bamboo industries, parts, species and products.

**Industry Part of** 

34 Bamboo - Current and Future Prospects

Energy production Stem,

Chemicals and pharmaceuticals **bamboo**

branch and rhizome

Wood Culm *Phyllostachys aurea*, *Guadua* 

Leaves, shoot, culm

Reinforcement Culm *Guadua augustifolia,* 

Civil construction Culm *Bambusa balcooa, B. tulda,* 

Pulp and paper Culm *Bambusa vulgaris* Pulp, paper, paper

*baccifera*

*Dendrocalamus sp., Bambusa vulgaris*

*angustifolia, Melocanna* 

*G. brang, G. levis, G. scortechini, G. wrayi*

*B. nutans, B. pallida, B, polymorpha, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Melocanna baccifera, D. giganteus, Gigantochloa apus, Guadua* 

*augustifolia*

**Bamboo species Bamboo products References**

Okumura et al. [2], Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3]

Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3], He et al. [7], Biopact [93], Kuttiraja et al. [35];Okumura et al. [2], Azzini et al. [96]

Okumura et al. [2], Xuhe [77], Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3], Ogunwusi [105]

Okumura et al. [2], He et al. [7], Costa et al. [43], Azzini and Gondim-Tomaz [106], Azzini et al. [96], Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3]

Khalil et al. [15], Lee and Wang [70], Ogunwusi [105]

Ladapo et al. [75], Lobovikov et al. [14], Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3], Lipangile [102], Akinbile et al.

[101]

board

Bamboo charcoal, bamboo charcoal briquettes, bio-methane,

Plywood, laminated bamboo board, mat ply bamboo, curtains ply bamboo, laminated wood strips, mat curtain plywood, door shutter, matchstick, bamboo clipboard, furniture and handicrafts, charcoal

bio-methane, starch, charcoal, flavour and preservatives, bamboo

Floor tiles, toys, bamboo composite decking, bamboo composite fencing, bamboo composite deck tiles, bamboo composite railings, bamboo composite dustbins, bamboo composite outdoor furniture, bamboo decking accessories

Irrigation and drainage pipes, flooring & floor covering, lamination of strip (plywood), decking, bamboo scaffolding and cladding, engineered bamboo flooring products, high-density beams and panels, composite board, particle board, bamboo prefabricated house.

leaf tea

Bio-ethanol

*Bambusa vulgaris* Cellulose, bio-ethanol,

However, bamboo is a green biofuel for fighting deforestation and climate change [92]. Because of its excellent characteristics, some countries are renewing their bioenergy strategies to include bamboo. It is worthy of note that a bamboo fuelled power station is being built in Mizoram state of India to help meet the energy need of India's northeast [93]. Bamboo may, therefore, serve as the key to combating energy problem, especially in developing nations if adopted. Common bamboo species that can be used for this purpose (see **Table 5**).

#### **4.3. Bamboo cellulose and alcohol**

Bamboos have agronomical and technological characteristics highly essential to obtain cellulose [2]. Their potential and utilisation for cellulose, bio-ethanol and other related products have been studied. It has been recognised as a useful resource for this purpose due to its higher growth rate, annual biomass yield and significant amount of sugars [2, 21]. He et al. [21] reported that bio-ethanol production from bamboo can also follow the general process for ethanol production from other lignocellulosic materials, which including pre-treatment, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation. The high contents of starch and cellulose, 70–85% of the stem, have given bamboo an advantage as an alternative source of alcohol production. The part transformed to alcohol represents the yield of 250–380 l ton−1 of bamboo [94] while that of sugar cane, when compared gave an average yield of 70 l of alcohol ton−1 [95]. In another study, Azzini et al. [96] developed a combined production process for cellulose fibres and ethanol from *B. vulgaris, which* gave good results to bamboo use. Other common species of bamboo used for this purpose are shown in **Table 5**.

ceramic tile, circular clay tile, concrete tile, bituminised fibre perforated pipe, perforated smooth plastic pipe to corrugated plastic pipe. Currently, corrugated pipes are frequently used, although clay and concrete pipes are still being used as well. In rural Tanzania, a bamboo pipe network is being used for providing safe and constant water supply to a large rural population [102]. In a study reported by Akinbile et al. [101] found that the use of bamboo (*B. vulgaris*) of predetermined lengths and diameters as a field drainage material was found effective. The result indicated that bamboo could be satisfactorily used as an alternative to the various assorted materials that are very common in markets to provide an advantage of cost, as well as easy transportation, handling and laying. Also, bamboo pipes do not contaminate the water being conveyed and do not react with the soil; unlike the other assorted materials, thus preventing the excessive cost of treating the water being conveyed for the various human

Bamboo, Its Chemical Modification and Products http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.76359 37

Bamboo is a principal construction material in many countries, particularly in rural areas. It can be used for almost all parts of houses, including posts, roofs, walls, floors, beams, trusses and fences [14]. At present, the bamboo utilisation in construction is of subjective form and based generally in traditional systems established in each country. In Asia, bamboo is quite common for bridges, scaffolding and housing, but it is usually a temporary exterior structural material. In many overpopulated regions of the tropics, certain bamboos supply the one suitable material that is sufficiently cheap and plentiful to meet the great need for economical housing [103]. However, bamboo offers an ecologically viable alternative to timber for construction due to its low-cost and fast growth rate [3]. Prior to bamboo utilisation in large scale as an economically viable engineering material, a study on properties and structures must be carried out. These studies can provide better cultivation, harvest and processing techniques, besides analysis of mechanical and physical properties of bamboo stems. Bamboo stems present excellent physical and mechanical properties that can be used as a substitute for other materials such as steel aiming fabrication of concrete structures. Several studies were conducted on physical and mechanical characteristics to test the bamboo as construction material. The mechanical properties of bamboo are strongly affected by the age, species and humidity. Bamboos do not break easily, and its original shape is regained when the load subjected to it is removed. It is suitable for reinforcing concrete [75]. Some bamboo products for building or construction purpose include ply bamboo, bamboo panels/composite boards of different types, particle boards, mat boards, bamboo parquet and bamboo fibre-reinforced plastic [5, 76, 104]. The common species of bamboo used for this purpose are given in **Table 5**.

The Japanese have used the leaves of bamboo as fodder for livestock for hundreds of years. It is also an essential food for the giant pandas in China because they survive only on bamboos. Many bamboos are popularly used as ornamental plants to beautify homes and gardens. Ogunwusi and Onwualu [3] reported that feeding chickens on organic diets containing fresh

and animal uses [101].

**5. Bamboo building or civil construction materials**

**6. Bamboo livestock feed and ornamental plant**
