Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials in nature due to its fast growth, rapid regeneration, outstanding mechanical properties, and applications in numerous industries. Latest technological advances have been allowing the plant to be studied and applied to exciting new projects. Being bamboo an icon of sustainable development, this book approaches the latest developments in the study of the plant, either as a natural resource or as a source of inspiration for more efficient designs. With the global urging demand for more sustainable practices, innovations in bamboo science and technology are key to the development of environmentally sound solutions.

In this book I have collected many reports on the properties of bamboo. Since I started bamboo research in 1974, I have collected many publications on bamboo. However, in contacts with other researchers I became aware of the fact that several of these publications were unknown to them. Consequently their activities in research or in bamboo projects had to start at a lower level than if they had known some of these publications. Therefore, I discussed the need for a book like this with several colleagues, and I decided to start writing. In this book I present data on properties, as published by resear chers. Certainly it is not complete; e.g. the proceedings of the bamboo workshop in Cochin in November 1988 are not included; they arrived just too late to be taken into account. On the other hand, in writing this preface I realize I have forgotten my own thesis. I do apologize to any colleague whose relevant report is not taken into account as well. I like to express my feelings of respect to the board of my faculty: they allowed me to spend so much time on this book, and they gave a considerable financial support for the printing costs.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the use of bamboo in building industry. It systematically demonstrates bamboo’s utility in terms of its properties, describing the material properties of typical industrial bamboo products, and discussing their performance evaluation and optimization as building components and in the creation of building envelopes. The book also includes examples of the high-value utilization of bamboo forest resources. Further, it examines how building performance may be affected by conditions such as climate. Including insights from material science, construction design, building physics and building climatology, the book also provides data obtained from technology and market status investigation, laboratory test and the computer simulation.This book appeals to scientists and professionals, as it introduces and tests various bamboo products, demonstrating the advantages and disadvantages for each one. The book is also a valuable resource for civil engineers and students interested in this unique plant material and its application in the building industry.

The idea of information on research and development carried out on bamboo has emerged with the paradigm shift in the area of utilization of natural fibres in various industries. Technological advancements in bamboo sustenance have involved chemical and physical modification that has led to products of high-performance index. This book provides the latest research developments in many aspects of bamboo process, manufacture and commercialization potential. Apart from the interest to facilitate a complete assessment of bamboo as well as assist readers in achieving their goals, this book is intended to be of value to both fundamental research and also to practicing scientists and will serve as a useful reference for researchers, agricultural practitioners and organizations involved in the bamboo-based industry.

Bamboo is an ordinary plant with extraordinary properties. With its high growth rate and self-renewing ability, bamboo’s sustainability is unparalleled. Bamboo is an important resource for a healthy planet, and its shoots hold manifold nutritional benefits. Based on 18 years of research, Bamboo Shoot: Superfood for Nutrition, Health and Medicine details health-promoting bioactive compounds found in bamboo and offers practical guidance on how this vegetable, bamboo shoot, is used for food fortification. Already a delicacy in many Asian countries, bamboo shoots aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Exploring the tradition and culture of bamboo in Asian countries, this book also provides information on the science behind the nutritional value of bamboo shoots. Written by individuals with expertise in bamboo shoot nutrition and fully illustrated in colour, this book reveals the antioxidant activity of bamboo shoots and discusses the potential for bamboo to be used as an ingredient in functional foods and nutraceuticals. This highly practical book discusses processing and packaging of shoots for long term storage and using bamboo in the development of novel food products. Features: Elucidates the nutrients and phytochemicals in over 30 bamboo species and includes a glossary of scientific names Highlights the nutraceutical and antioxidant properties of bamboo Describes novel healthy food products fortified with bamboo shoots and provides food recipes using bamboo Explains how bamboo can help countries achieve their sustainable development goals, from poverty reduction, food security, improved nutrition and prevention of diseases to climate change mitigation and inclusive green economic development Aimed at professionals in the nutrition and food processing industry, this book appeals to those with an interest in incorporating bamboo into a healthier lifestyle. Endorsements This is a unique book interestingly crafted to highlight the important nutritional, health and medicinal aspects of Bamboo, an area that is greatly underexplored. It will bring awareness that bamboo shoots are a low calorie, high fibre nutritious vegetable packed with vitamins and minerals. - Prof. Cherla Sastry, Founding Director General INBAR and Adjunct Professor, University of Toronto, Canada This book brings a series of answers to all questions related to bamboo as a superfood [and will] enlighten readers how to transform bamboo shoots using either traditional or modern techniques, how to package them and how to use them as a functional and nutraceutical food. It also provides a series of cooking recipes for healthy eating while we enjoy our food. - Ximena Londoño, Founder, A Bamboo and Guadua Paradise, Colombia

“Green gold” or “Poor Man’s Timber” are commonly used terms for bamboo that is a valuable and renewable resource of the world, and has always been an elemental part of human beings in terms of social and economic value. Bamboo is considered a multipurpose plant and has a prolonged history as an adaptable and extensively used renewable resource in conventional and commercial applications. Therefore, the annual demands for bamboos have already out-crossed the annual yields across the world. And the current scenario has forced scientists to pay more attention to the utilization of biotechnological tools for better understanding and improving bamboos. The book provides an overview of the different biotechnological approaches to advance bamboo research and better utilization of bamboo resources for human beings. Various applications of biological techniques in relation to bamboo have been discussed in details, for example, plant tissue culture techniques, somatic embryogenesis, germplasm conservation techniques, use of the molecular markers, transcriptomics, polymorphism, and phylogenetic relations in bamboo. It also addresses the novel industrial applications of bamboo in structural, food, and pharmaceuticals along with traditional uses. The aggregated information in this book demonstrates the way for the improved and sustainable practice of bamboos to fulfill the future needs of the world. This book is intended for use in both the industry and academia

Bamboo - Recent Development and Application offers a comprehensive overview of recent developments in bamboo production and application. Chapters address such topics as research and development of bamboo, the physical and mechanical properties of bamboo, advances in bamboo composites, and more.