Pyrolytic oil from Muli bamboo (Melocanna baccifera, Roxb.): Biological potential and possible functional attributes

Abstract

Bamboos with over 160 different species are important sources of food and other value-added products especially among the tribal communities of Northeast India. In the study, bio-oil was extracted from Melocanna baccifera through pyrolysis process and was evaluated for their biological properties. The characterization of the functional attributes responsible for the activities was achieved using advance techniques. The extracted bio-oil was found to be smoky dark brown in colour with a pH of 2.46 ± 0.2. Bio-assays showed that the bio-oil was efficient in inhibiting the growth of pathogenic fungal and bacterial strains such as Fusarium udum, F. proliferatum, Micrococcus luteus, and Salmonella typhimurium in a concentration dependent manner. The bio-oil also exhibit excellent free radical scavenging properties even at concentration of 1% and tend to increase with the concentration of the extract. Similar to previous reports, the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of the bio-oil were attributed to bioactive compounds like Guaiacol, Catechins, Catechol, Quinol, 2-Methoxy-4-methylphenol, etc. which were further validated by gas chromatography, ICP-MS and FTIR characterization techniques. While the extract did not show any significant phytotoxicity effect either on the seed germination rate or root elongation, they were found to promote the development of secondary roots in Vigna radiate. The present findings offer valuable insights for the further exploration and evaluation of bamboo biomass as possible sources of novel bioactive compounds and also extraction of other high-value added products.