Evaluation of Biomass Quality of Bamboo in Different Growth Stages

Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) has become a feedstock of interest for future energy production due to its high productivity and short rotation time. The growth age of biomass is a vital factor affecting the efficiency of conversion and pretreatment for biofuel production. Seung Gon Wi from Chonnam National University in South Korea used a compositional assay to compare a bamboo of two different growth ages.

In young-age (2-month-old) bamboo, the pattern of tissue organization was similar to that of old-age (3-year-old) bamboo, indicating that the former had reached its full height. However, there were significant differences between young-age and old-age bamboo in terms of chemical composition.

For young-age bamboo, the lignin contents were 14.6–18.3%, whereas those of old-age bamboo were considerably higher, ranging from 25.4 to 27.1%. The yield of total sugars from enzymatic hydrolysis of young-age bamboo was approximately eight times higher than from old-age bamboo. Ethanol production was also higher in 2-month old than in 3-year old from initial raw biomass.

These data show that the production of total sugar from raw material was high in young bamboo with low lignin content. With respect to short-rotation biomass, bamboo culm harvested after termination of height growth is more appropriate for use as a biomass.