EJERS, European Journal of Engineering Research and Science Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2019 Chemical Properties of Yushania alpina Grown at Injibara District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia Amsalu Tolessa, Fikremariam Haile, Abraham Dilnesa, Buzayehu Desisa, Tegene Tantu, Danel Gebeyhu Bamboo cover as an integral part of Ethiopian forests and Abstract—This paper studied the chemical composition of is stated to be about one million ha [5], [6], i.e. 67% of the cultivated 3, 4 and 5-year-old highland bamboo (Y. alpina) bamboo in Africa and 7% of the world. Yushania alpina which were classified into three position (top, medium and (African alpine bamboo) and Oxytenanthera abyssinica are bottom) to determined the main compositions especially the two indigenous bamboo species in the country [6], [7]. cellulose, lignin, extractive and ash content. From all culms representative samples were converted to the required size of Among this resources, the total area of mapped naturally wood chips to prepared sample for chemical testing. Then the grown Yushania alpina is 129,626 ha and the area planted specimens prepared from bottom, middle and top portions for by farmers is estimated to be about 19,000 ha, together, the three ages were used to determine the chemical properties summing up to 148,626 ha [8]. in accordance to American Society for Testing and Materials Highland bamboo (Yushania alpina ) is a very large and (ASTM) standards except for cellulose test determined perennial woody grass; woody culms up to 12 cm in according to Kurschner and Hoffer method. All parameters in the experiment were expressed by percent based on dry basis. diameter at the base and rising to 15 m from a stout From this research, we have found small but significant branching rhizome, thick walled but clearly hollow [7], [9]. increases in mean cellulose content from the base to the top of Yushania alpina (K. Schumann Lin) the African alpine the culm at all three ages. The lignin content in Y. alpina bamboo which grows between 2200 and 4000 meter above species of bamboo is in the ranged of 23.04 to 30.03%. The sea level (masl) and the lowland bamboo Oxytenanthera mean values of the chemical constituents in 3, 4 and 5- year-old abyssinica (A. Richard Munro) which grows between 1200 culms were 51.83, 54.94 and 49.78% for cellulose content, 28.28, 24.99 and 24.53% for lignin content, 7.8, 10.09, and and 1800 masl [4], [10]-[12]. Yushania alpina was reported 9.54% for alcohol-toluene extractives, respectively. In general, to be a robust clumping /sympodial /pachymorphic species the comprehensive knowledge of the chemical components in that under cultivation maintains very strong clumping the bamboo species will facilitate the use of the materials in the characteristic [13], [14] while non-clumping /monopodial forestry industrial sector and help to enhance their processing /leptomorphic species was reported by [15]-[17]. Wimbush and utilization in the chemical and bio-chemical related [18] described that Y. alpina occurs gregariously (not in industry. clumps) within mountain forests in tropical Africa. Index Terms—Cellulose; Chemical compositions; Bamboo is a multi-use tree which is used for construction, Extractives; Lignin; Yushania alpina furniture manufacturing, firewood, and human and animal foods [19]-[21]. Over 2.5 billion people trade in or use bamboo worldwide [22], thus playing important role I. INTRODUCTION socially, economically and ecologically [23]. In Ethiopia the Bamboo is considered to be one of the non-wood forest familiar use of bamboo resource is limited to traditional resources with the high potential as an alternative to wood applications (fencing, house construction, waving, resources because of its easy propagation, fast growth, and household furniture and utensils) in the western and south high productivity [1]. Globally, more than 1,500 species in western parts of Ethiopia. In overall, the majority regular 90 genera of bamboos are found, covering 36 million use of bamboo is for the construction purposes [24]. hectare (ha) of land which is distributed in the tropical and However, lack of awareness about the multiple uses of sub-tropical belt between 460 north and 470 south latitude at bamboo and scientific knowledge about their production and elevations as high as 4000m above sea level [2], [3]. In main properties have become impediments for utilization different parts of the globe, it is used as a source of raw and conservation of the resource [25]. Yet, only few material for fodder, construction materials, paper research activities have been done on utilization aspect: production, laminated boards, energy, food, beverage and utilization of lowland bamboo stems as reinforcement steel medicine [4]. [26] and suitability of highland bamboo for oriented particle board [15], [27]. In Ethiopia bamboo forest have an enormous potential for economic growth and environmental benefits. If this Published on January 14, 2019. resource is managed and utilized effectively, over 12 billion A. Tolessa, F. Haile, A. Dilnesa, B. Desisa, and T. Tantu are with Bioenergy and Biochemical Research Division, Wood Technology Birr can be generated every year [28]. Bamboo properties Research Center, Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute, vary with species, age, location, and external factors [1] Addis Ababa Ethiopia (e-mail: - [email protected], Chemical properties are important factors that influence the [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]). processing and utilization of bamboo culm. Bamboo is an D. Gebeyhu was with Dire Dawa Environment and Forest Research attractive alternative to timber because of its short crop Center, Dire Dawa Ethiopia (e-mail:- [email protected]). DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24018/ejers.2019.4.1.875 32 EJERS, European Journal of Engineering Research and Science Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2019 rotation and favorable mechanical properties for utilization dry mass. Each test was conducted using 3 replications. It as medium density fiberboard as well as pulp and paper was necessary to conduct additional experimentation when products [29]. analyzing for alcohol-toluene extractive content. Since, both The bamboo cell walls consist of between 90 to 98% the lignin and Hemicellulose content test are performed with cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, while the other 2 to 10% extractive-free bamboo that is derived from the alcohol- are mainly of extractives, resins, tannins, waxes and toluene extractive test. inorganic salts. Some difference, but do occurred in the main chemical constituent as the bamboo culms matured TABLE I: STANDARD METHODS USED FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BAMBOO CULMS and it also depend on the type of bamboo species [30]. Composition Replicates Standard Therefore, the present study was conducted with the Cellulose Content 3 Kurschner-Hoffer method objectives of generating information about chemical Klason lignin Content 3 ASTMD 1106-56 compositions of the Yushania alpine for holistic production Hot-water solubility 3 ASTM 1110-56 Alcohol-toluene solubility 3 ASTMD 1107-56 and utilisation use as a promising raw material for chemical Ash Content 3 ASTMD 1102-84 and biochemical based industries in Ethiopia. C. Experimental Design II. MATERIALS AND METHODS Completed Randomized Design (CRD) was used for Laboratory experiment. A total of 27 treatment A. Bamboo Sample collection and preparation combinations comprising 3 levels of bamboo position (top, The highland bamboos (Y. alpina) for this study were medium and bottom) and 3 different bamboo ages (3, 4, and collected from the Injibara district, Amhara region. The age 5) with three replications were designed in the experiment of culms was estimated based on visual inspection (i.e. for cellulose, klason-lignin and extractive determination colour, sheaths in culms and surface lichen growth) by whereas the three-year-old bamboo was used to determine experienced field personnel familiarized with the history of the effect of position on the ash and moisture constituent of the clump. bamboo. Two representative bamboo culms for each age group D. Statistical Analysis (one, three, and five years of age) of matured bamboo culms were harvested. The following is a brief description of the All statistical analyses were done using SAS Software, sampling method Li [31]. Internodes were consecutively Version 9. Two-way ANOVA was used to analysis the numbered from bottom to top for each culm which was then effect of bamboo age and position on cellulose, klason- divided into three sections, i.e. bottom, middle and top, each lignin, alcohol-toluene extractive and ash content. Mean with an equal number of internode sections. The internodes separation was carried out using Least Significant of each height location and age group for chemical analysis Difference (LSD) at (P <0.001) levels of significance. were cut into small strips with a razor blade. The strips were small enough to be placed in a Wiley Mill. All of this material was ground in the Wiley Mill. The material was III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION then placed in a shaker with sieves to pass through a No. 40 In this section, the results of Y. alpina culms chemical mesh sieve (425-µm) yet retained on a No. 60 mesh sieve composition collected from Injibara district of Amhara (250-µm) were used for subsequent chemical analysis. The region was investigated and discussed here under. The main resulting material was placed in glass jars labeled with effect of bamboo age significantly (P<0.01) influenced all appropriate code and refrigerated, to prevent the growth of parameters measured. The effect of position of bamboo mold and stain fungi, until required for analysis. The considered in the experiment, verses cellulose, lignin and chemical composition analyses were used on the bamboo ash content was also significant with the exception of fibre. This method was divided into different stages namely, extractive content. Interaction effect between bamboo age the material preparation, determination of extractive and position significantly influenced all parameters except (Alcohol-toluene solubility and Hot-water solubility), ash, extractive content (Table III).