Development of Euphorbia Latex and Bamboo Fiber Based Green Composite

Novel composites with improved mechanical strength, thermally stability and better biodegradability were fabricated using polyester resin (PR) and euphorbia coagulum (EC) with natural bamboo fiber (BF) by a compression molding technique. The addition of EC makes the composite more pronounced for alkali-treated BF. The composites were characterized in terms of water absorption, mechanical, thermal and biodegradability. Composites showed considerable improvement in thermal stability, mechanical properties (flexural strength and impact strength) and biodegradability. EC modified composite shows maximum improvement in physico-mechanical properties compared to other composites. The inoculation of EC modified and unmodified composite with fungi resulted in higher growth on modified composite compared to unmodified composite. These novel composites could be labeled as sustainable material because they were prepared from low-cost BF and EC through a green approach. The composite material developed can be used in building constructions as wood substitution, automotive parts, sports goods, etc.

Production of Natural Bamboo Fiber—2: Assessment and Comparison of Antibacterial Activity

Since fibers are strongly bonded in bamboo, extraction of fibers in their natural form is very difficult. This difficulty has favored viscose processing of bamboo. This study covers routes to produce spinnable natural bamboo fibers through eco-friendly processes, while retaining antibacterial and other innate properties. Natural bamboo fibers treated under mild conditions showed better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus than the raw red margin bamboo plant (Phyllostachys rubromarginata). Bamboo contains compounds that promote bacterial growth, as well as others that are antibacterial. If bacterial growth promoting soluble compounds are removed, antibacterial activity increases in natural bamboo fibers. Some antibacterial activity may even remain in viscose fiber made from bamboo. This study provides information on antibacterial activity in red margin bamboo, natural bamboo fibers, and commercial bamboo viscose.

Identification of Natural Bamboo Fiber and Regenerated Bamboo Fiber by the Method of Modified near Infrared Spectroscopy

In this work, the applicability and effectiveness of identification of natural bamboo fiber and regenerated bamboo fiber by near infrared spectroscopy are investigated. A discrimination model based on Ward’s algorithm and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis is pretreated by the first derivative and vector normalization, which can be used to distinguish natural bamboo fiber and regenerated bamboo fiber. In addition, the near infrared spectra model exhibits a high accuracy with an effective identification of the double fibers.

Research on Microbial Degradation of Bamboo Lignin for Extraction of Natural Bamboo Fiber

This study optimizes on the technological conditions for extraction of natural bamboo fiber by means of microbial degradation of bamboo lignin. Results show that by the orthogonal experiment, we have studied out optimal conditions for combining three strains with fermentation to produce enzyme: 10.0 g/L glucose, 0.2 g/L ammonium tartrate, 4.5 buffer solution pH value and 20.0/250 ml loading liquid quantity. In these above four factors, the primary and secondary factors affecting enzyme production are: carbon source > pH value > loading liquid quantity > nitrogen source. Meanwhile, the experiment has studied the influence of single factor on lignin degradation: at the temperature of 37 °C, about 4 x 107spore concentration, adding 1.5 mg/L veratryl alcohol and introducing air at the efflux rate of 1 L/min are bamboo crude fiber optimal conditions for microbial selective degradation of lignin.