• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.315-322
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• 2018

Bamboo culm comprises internodes and nodes and is tapered from the bottom to the top. Anatomically, bamboo culm comprises vascular bundles and parenchymal base tissue. The gross anatomical structure of a transverse section of any culm internode is determined by the shape, size, arrangement, and number of vascular bundles. The purpose of this research was to examine the morphology of culm and the distribution and shape of vascular bundles in Ampel bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris). Bamboo culms were harvested from the base. Test samples were obtained from a central 2-cm long segment of each internode across the entire length of the culm. Results showed an uneven spread of vascular bundles in the internode cross-section. Transitioning from the outer to the inner layer of the internode, the number of vascular bundles per unit area decreased and their shape was variable. The size of vascular bundles in the middle layer of the internode was greater than that of those in the outer and inner layers. The shape of vascular bundles was circular in the outer layer, which gradually transformed into vertical oval toward the middle layer and horizontal oval toward the inner layer. Vascular bundles were of type III and IV in the bottom of the culm and type III in the middle to the top of the culm.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.362-368
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• 2018

Purpose: Self-sufficiency in paper production is desired in Nigeria. This study was aimed at evaluating the performance of a locally fabricated batch pulp digester. Methods: The pulp yields of sheaths generated as waste in the production of bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) laminates were determined at different liquor concentrations and treatment time after preliminary experiments to ascertain the conditions under which the sheath started to pulp. Moreover, the optimum pulping conditions and fiber characteristics were determined and estimated, respectively, to ascertain the pulp fiber suitability for paper production. Results: An optimum pulp yield of 65.1% was obtained at 50% NaOH and 25% $Na_2S$ liquor concentration (w/w) when the cooking time was 4 h. The results of fiber characterization of the pulp indicated an average fiber length of 2.19 mm with a low Runkel ratio of 1.63, both of which signify the suitability of the pulp for medium quality paper production. Conclusions: Softwood pulp can be blended with the fibers to improve the strength of the produced paper; further investigation should be carried out to use other non-woody plants for pulp and papermaking.