Culm cell-wall compositions of tribes Bambuseae and Olyreae (subfamily Bambusoideae; Family Poaceae) from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Brazil has the greatest diversity of bamboos in the neotropics. This biodiversity is reflected in the diversity of plant architectures, ranging from trees to herbs. As cell walls constitute the main mechanical component of plant tissues and organs, the compositions of these walls may differ depending on the mechanical properties required for different plant life strategies. The present work examines the polysaccharide composition of the culm cell walls of six neotropical bamboo species from different habits and biomes. It also compares the percentage of monosaccharide compositions with other grasses studied as feedstock. The polysaccharide fractions were composed of small amounts of pectin, 1,3;1,4-β-glucans and the main hemicellulose was arabinoxylan, consistent with grasses in other subfamilies. Comparatively, the amount of glucose in the cell wall is higher in sugarcane, followed by bamboo and miscanthus. Different habits are not associated with different cell wall compositions. Tropical bamboo species could be a valuable resource with quite interesting possibilities for biotechnology.