Physico-chemical properties of Brazilian native bamboo species

Abstract

Despite the worldwide social and economic importance of bamboos, most species have been poorly studied in areas with high species richness, such as Brazil. We conducted a physico-chemical characterization of four bamboo species native to southern Brazil. Merostachys skvortzovii Send. and Chusquea meyeriana Rupr. ex Döll are the most common and occur frequently as dominant invasive species, Apoclada simplex McClure & L.B.Sm. is listed as a threatened species, and Chusquea cf. gracilis is a rare species. Juvenile and adult samples were analyzed for moisture, ash, extractives, lignin, carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), silicon (Si), oxygen content (O), and inorganic analytes. Important differences were found between adults and juveniles and among the studied species. The results point to higher cellulose content for Chusquea cf. gracilis and C. meyeriana, while Chusquea meyeriana presented the greatest diversity of chemical elements. Overall, the results can inform the development of new applications of these species. This is particularly important for Merostachys skvortzovii and Chusquea meyeriana as they have widespread ecological importance and can arrest forest successional development in the region.