Bamboo Shoots Research Articles

Development and Organoleptic Evaluation of Vegan Honey Tender Bamboo Shoots Murabba

The aim of this study was to make a Bamboo Shoots (Phyllostachys edulis) are regarded as one of the beneficial health foods due to their high protein, carbohydrate, vitamin, fiber, and mineral composition and very low fat content. In the current study, "Value of tender bamboo shoots murabba with cinnamon, cardamom, lemon, vegan honey, jaggery," vegan honey bamboo murabba was made in the food science and technology laboratory of the department of food and nutrition at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Lucknow. Five different preparation methods for the vegan honey bamboo murabba. This research sought to determine whether vegan honey bamboo murabba was acceptable based on a sensory evaluation test completed at BBA University in India. Tender bamboo shoots, jaggery, vegan honey, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, juice, lemon juice, and water made up the basic ingredients for bamboo murabba. These ingredients were combined, dissolved, condensed, and made to an80°C (about 50°C) jaggery content. In a glass container, bamboo that had been heated to 50°C was placed. This sample was referred to as a cold-packed bamboo murabba. In order to sterilize it, the hot-pack murabba was heated on low temperature for 20 minutes. The bamboo was sterilized after 20 minutes and allowed to settle at room temperature. The sample that underwent sterilization was referred to as a heated murabba. Each sample was assessed using a Murabba sample, which was graded on a 9-point hedonic scale for flavor, smell, texture, appearance, and general acceptances in the sensory test. The color, sweetness, acidity, taste, and flavor of each sample were also assessed.

Shoot buds of subtropical running bamboos demonstrate endodormancy and chilling requirements for their release

Bamboos, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions and significant in ecological, economic and cultural values, are similar to trees in the above-ground growth and to geophytes in the below-ground structure. However, contrary to well-studied endodormancy and the related chilling requirement that synchronize the seasonal development of above-ground buds of tree species and the well-studied below-ground buds of geophytes, it is unknown whether bamboos demonstrate the endodormancy and chilling requirements as those of trees and geophytes, which limits our understanding of how bamboos phenology cope with climate change. Our work mainly examined the effect of temperature on the dormancy release of underground shoot buds of two important subtropical running bamboo species, Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys violascens) and Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis). In the experiments, the bamboo seedlings were first subjected to different durations of natural chilling and subsequently to a regrowth test under high-temperature forcing conditions in whole-tree chambers. In the regrowth test the dormancy state of the shoot buds was examined by observing shoot development, i.e., the emergence of the new shoot aboveground, a significant spring phenological event in many bamboo species. The time required for shooting under the forcing conditions decreased with prolonged chilling, indicating that the shoot buds of these two bamboo species demonstrate the phenomena of endodormancy and a chilling requirement for endodormancy release. For Lei bamboo, the chilling requirement was estimated as 45 Chill Portions (CP) and heat requirement was 9978 ± 6713 GDH℃. As for Moso bamboo, the estimated chilling requirement was 35CP and heat requirement was 6713 ± 3087 GDH℃. Meanwhile, the Vegis effect (an interaction of previous chilling accumulation and forcing temperature) was also found in Lei bamboo: there was a large difference in the time required for shoot development between low and high forcing temperatures after short durations of chilling, but the difference decreased with prolonged chilling. It was also shown that bamboo shoot buds almost received the same heat requirements for emergence at different forcing temperatures under the same chilling requirements. Our results will improve the understanding of temperature regulation of spring phenology in subtropical bamboo forests and promote bamboo production and management.

Utilization of Plants as Food Source: A Study in Sungai Bakah Village, Melawi Regency

Nature has a high potential for biological natural resources that humans, including plants as food, can utilize. This study aims to analyze the types of plants as a source of food used by the people of Sungai Bakah Village, Pinoh Selatan District, Melawi Regency. This study used a survey method. Respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique were interviewed to obtain data on the utilization of plants used as food ingredients. The data obtained is then analyzed using use value and fidelity level. The results showed that all respondents interviewed (131 respondents) used plants as a food source. A total of 84 types of plants were used, with fruit as the part that was most used (49.44%). Vegetables and fruits are the most widely used forms of utilization. Plants with the highest UV values ​​came from starch (Gymnopetalum cocinense), rice (Oryza sativa), chilies (Capsicum frutescens L.), and bamboo shoots (Dendrocalamus asper) with a value of 1. 84 plants species had the highest FL values ​​(100), most of which comes from the category of utilization as fruits.

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of Dendrocalamus farinosus CCoAOMT Gene Family and the Role of DfCCoAOMT14 Involved in Lignin Synthesis.

As the main component of plant cell walls, lignin can not only provide mechanical strength and physical defense for plants, but can also be an important indicator affecting the properties and quality of wood and bamboo. Dendrocalamus farinosus is an important economic bamboo species for both shoots and timber in southwest China, with the advantages of fast growth, high yield and slender fiber. Caffeoyl-coenzyme A-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT) is a key rate-limiting enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway, but little is known about it in D. farinosus. Here, a total of 17 DfCCoAOMT genes were identified based on the D. farinosus whole genome. DfCCoAOMT1/14/15/16 were homologs of AtCCoAOMT1. DfCCoAOMT6/9/14/15/16 were highly expressed in stems of D. farinosus; this is consistent with the trend of lignin accumulation during bamboo shoot elongation, especially DfCCoAOMT14. The analysis of promoter cis-acting elements suggested that DfCCoAOMTs might be important for photosynthesis, ABA/MeJA responses, drought stress and lignin synthesis. We then confirmed that the expression levels of DfCCoAOMT2/5/6/8/9/14/15 were regulated by ABA/MeJA signaling. In addition, overexpression of DfCCoAOMT14 in transgenic plants significantly increased the lignin content, xylem thickness and drought resistance of plants. Our findings revealed that DfCCoAOMT14 can be a candidate gene that is involved in the drought response and lignin synthesis pathway in plants, which could contribute to the genetic improvement of many important traits in D. farinosus and other species.

Implementing dilute acid pretreatment coupled with solid acid catalysis and enzymatic hydrolysis to improve bioconversion of bamboo shoot shells

Exploiting bamboo shoot shells (BSS) as feedstocks for biorefining is a crucial scheme to advance the bioavailability of bamboo shoots. This work applied traditional dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment (DAP) to treat BSS and simultaneously prepared the solid-acid-catalyst by using BSS as carbon-based carriers. The biocatalysis of the prehydrolysate from DAP and enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated BSS was subsequently performed to achieve efficient bioconversion of its carbohydrates. The results displayed that 0.1 g/L H2SO4 employed in DAP was the optimal condition for furfural conversion of BSS during biocatalysis, reaching the maximum of 41%. Meanwhile, the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of the pretreated BSS also reached the maximum of 97%. This increment of efficiency was ascribed to the enhancement of accessibility and cellulosic crystal size, and also the reduction of surface area of lignin in BSS. Ultimately, the efficient bioutilization of BSS and bioconversion of its carbohydrates were realized by DAP technology.

An investigation on plant cell walls during biomass pyrolysis: A histochemical perspective on engineering applications

The large variation in biomass species, and hence lignocellulosic composition, often results in varying properties and production of pyrolytic products, i.e. bio-char, bio-oil and bio-gas. Hence, understanding of the distribution of individual lignocellulosic components in plant cell walls and its influence on cell structural evolution during pyrolysis is essential to predict biomass behaviour for different engineering applications. Bamboo shoot sections were subjected to histochemical safranin O/fast green solution staining to reveal the distribution of lignocellulosic components in the sample. Stained fresh samples were compared against pyrolysed samples under light and oil immersion microscopy to investigate the structural evolution of primary and secondary cell walls during pyrolysis. Charred samples were subsequently characterised via BET, XRD and Raman spectroscopy to further understand the influence of pyrolytic temperatures on cell transformations. This study provides insights into understanding the devolatilisation and graphitisation characteristics of individual plant cell wall and its lignocellulosic components, thus facilitating biomass selection for targeted applications in energy derivation and/or material engineering without the need of repeating chemical-intensive histochemical and pyrolysis procedures.

"COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BAMBOO SHOOT SHELL FIBERS DEGUMMED BY IMPROVED SODIUM PERCARBONATE AND ALKALINE-OXYGEN METHODS"

"COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BAMBOO SHOOT SHELL FIBERS DEGUMMED BY IMPROVED SODIUM PERCARBONATE AND ALKALINE-OXYGEN METHODS"

Isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria from traditional food sarobuong of Kuantan Singingi District, Riau, Indonesia

Abstract. Saryono, Ismawati, Pratiwi NW, Devi S, Sipayung MY, Suraya N. 2023. Isolation and identification of lactic acid bacteria from traditional food sarobuong of Kuantan Singingi District, Riau, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 2201-2206. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used as probiotic agents in fermented processed foods like sarobuong. Sarobuong is a traditional food from Kuantan Singingi District made by fermenting bamboo shoots. In this study, the isolation and purification of LAB from sarobuang were done using MRS agar media with the streak quadrant method: macroscopic and microscopic observations and biochemical and physiological tests to identify isolates. The antibacterial ability of LAB isolates was used against pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that 21 isolates were gram-positive bacteria in the form of bacilli and coccus, while carbohydrate degradation was homofermentative. The results of the antibacterial test of 21 isolates indicated by LAB against E. coli and S. aureus bacteria showed a clear zone ranging from 0.1 to 0.6. The highest antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria E. coli was observed in isolate RB1, while for pathogenic bacteria S. aureus, it was in isolate R15. The results obtained from several isolates that have been tested showed that LAB isolated from sarobuong had relatively higher activity than the control and was identified as Lactobacillus and Streptococcus.

The “Oxygen Sink” of Bamboo Shoots Regulates and Guarantees the Oxygen Supply for Aerobic Respiration

The amazingly rapid growth of bamboo shoots requires strong respiration and provides a large amount of energy and intermediate metabolites. Strong aerobic respiration requires a large amount of O2. This raises the following question: What is the source and mechanism of O2 supply to meet aerobic respiration? However, currently, this remains unknown. The underground buds (US), the 2-m-high overground buds (AS), and the 8-m-high growth arrest buds (HS) of bamboo (Phyllostachys prominens) were collected to represent their different stages of growth and development. The fifth bamboo shoot node at each stage was sealed by two membranes, and treated in a polyethylene zip-lock bag filled with air (21% O2 + 79% N2) and nitrogen (100% N2) for 1.5 h. The concentrations of free O2 and CO2 in the shoot cavities in polyethylene zip-lock bags, and the ethanol content in the shoot body before and after treatment were determined. In addition, the photosynthetic rates of the fifth bamboo internodes of 1 y/o, 2 y/o and 3 y/o bamboo in the field were measured. The results indicated that: (1) When treated with air and nitrogen, US, AS and HS mainly exhibited aerobic respiration, and there was almost no anaerobic respiration; (2) When treated with air, 59.66%, 54.47% and 45.84% of the O2 in the aerobic respiration of US, AS and HS came from the polyethylene zip-lock bag, 0.06%, 0.57% and 0.650% came from the shoot cavity, but 40.28%, 44.96% and 53.51% of the O2 was of an unknown source; (3) Treated by nitrogen, 0.19%, 4.71% and 4.79% of O2 in aerobic respiration of US, AS and HS came from shoot cavity, while the other 99.808%, 95.290% and 95.21% of O2 came from unknown sources; and (4) The photosynthesis of the fifth internodes of 1 y/o, 2 y/o and 3 y/o bamboo generated little oxygen that could not absolutely meet the huge O2 supply for aerobic respiration. It was concluded that the respiration of P. prominens shoots in its different growth and development stages was dominated by aerobic respiration. O2 supply pathways were mainly via the sheath stomata; however, there was little absorption from dissolved O2 in the soil water and little supply produced by shoot/stem photosynthesis. It was found that the large supply of oxygen in the aerobic respiration of bamboo shoots and young bamboo was of an unknown source under air treatment and nitrogen treatment, i.e., 40.28%–53.51% and 95.21%–99.81% of oxygen in the aerobic respiration of bamboo shoots and young bamboo was of unknown origin, respectively. Therefore, we proposed that bamboo shoots may exhibit the phenomenon of acting as an “oxygen sink”, which can provide a large amount of O2 from unknown sources to ensure the rapid growth of bamboo shoots and young bamboo.

Effects of different phosphorus levels on tiller bud development in hydroponic Phyllostachys edulis seedlings.

An appropriate amount of phosphate fertilizer can improve the germination rate of bamboo buds and increase the bamboo shoot output. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of phosphate fertilizer in bamboo shoot development have not been systematically reported. Herein, the effects of low (LP, 1μM), normal (NP, 50μM) and high (HP, 1000μM) phosphorus (P) on the growth and development of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) tiller buds were first investigated. Phenotypically, the seedling biomass, average number of tiller buds and bud height growth rate under the LP and HP treatments were significantly lower than those under the NP treatment. Next, the microstructure difference of tiller buds in the late development stage (S4) at three P levels was analyzed. The number of internode cells and vascular bundles were significantly lower in the LP treatments than in the NP treatments. The relative expression levels of eight P transport genes, eight hormone-related genes and four bud development genes at the tiller bud developmental stage (S2-S4) and the tiller bud re-tillering stage were analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that the expression trends for most P transport genes, hormone-related genes and bud development genes from S2 to S4 were diversified at different P levels, and the expression levels were also different at different P levels. In the tiller bud re-tillering stage, the expression levels of seven P transport genes and six hormone-related genes showed a downward trend with increasing P level. REV expression level decreased under LP and HP conditions. TB1 expression level increased under HP condition. Therefore, we conclude that P deficiency inhibits tiller bud development and re-tillering, and that P depends on the expression of REV and TB1 genes and auxin, cytokinin and strigolactones synthesis and transporter genes to mediate tiller bud development and re-tillering.

Essential Amino Acids and Nutrients Found in Tender Bamboo Shoots and Products Available in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Bamboo is a versatile grass with multiple applications and yielding edible tender shoots. Juvenile shoots are a delicacy for many ethnic communities all over the globe and are rich in essential nutrients for human health. A study was conducted to identify the concentrations of essential amino acids viz. Lysine, Methionine, and Tryptophan with Crude protein, Crude fiber, and Carbohydrates in both fresh and processed tender shoots of seven commercial bamboo species available in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Concentrations of all nutritional parameters considered for this study are comparable with conventional foods and some values were higher in processed bamboo shoot products than those of fresh tender shoots. Findings of this study revealed that bamboo shoots and their processed products are highly nutritious which can provide opportunities in both nutritional as well as economic aspects to the people of the country in general and the state in particular. It may provide opportunities to combat poverty and hunger by opting for new readily available food sources and may also provide scope to overcome malnutrition, especially in the areas where it is widely prevalent.

Enhancing saccharification of bamboo shoot shells by rapid one-pot pretreatment of hydrated deep eutectic solvent

In this work, a rapid one-pot hydrated deep eutectic solvent (DES) pretreatment was proposed to facilitate the conversion of carbohydrates from lignocellulosic biomass to monosaccharides. Specifically, the pure and hydrated DES based on benzyl triethylammonium chloride (BTEAC), formic acid (FA) and water was used to pretreat bamboo shoot shells (BSS) by microwave heating. The pretreated solid residues were enzymatically saccharified to produce fermentable sugars, and the hydrolyzed carbohydrates and lignin remained in the hydrolyzate. The results showed that the yield of monosaccharides from the hydrated DES hydrolyzate (193.7–228.4 g/kg) was significantly higher than that (45.9–66.1 g/kg) of pure DES. The 30% hydrated DES pretreatment achieved the best glucose yield (89.03%) and a total monosaccharides yield of 555.4 g/kg, which corresponded to a conversion ratio of carbohydrates to monosaccharides of 87.0%. The proposed process is a robust method for the efficiently convert carbohydrates from BSS into monosaccharides.

Molecular Characterization and Bioactivities of a Novel Polysaccharide from Phyllostachys pracecox Bamboo Shoot Residues.

Dietary carbohydrates are unexploited in the by-products of economically valuable Phyllostachys pracecox bamboo shoots. A residue-derived polysaccharide (PBSR1) was aqueously extracted from the processing waste of this bamboo shoot species. Its primary structure and advanced conformation were elucidated by a combined analysis of spectroscopy, chromatography, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance, laser light scattering and atomic microscopy. The results indicated PBSR1 was a triple-helix galactan consisting of →6)-β-D-Galp and →3)-β-D-Galp in linear with an 863 KD molecular weight (Mw). The relationship between the radius of gyration (Rg) and intrinsic viscosity ([η]) on Mw were established as Rg = 1.95 × 10-2Mw0.52±0.03 (nm) and [η] = 9.04 × 10-1Mw0.56±0.02 (mL/g) for PBSR1 in saline solution at 25 °C, which indicated it adopted a triple-helix chain shape with a height of 1.60 ± 0.12 nm supported by a red shift of λmax in Congo red analysis. The thermodynamic test (TG) displayed that it had excellent thermal stability for the food industry. Further, those unique structure features furnish PBSR1 on antioxidation with EC50 of 0.65 mg/mL on DPPH· and an ORAC value of 329.46 ± 12.1 μmol TE/g. It also possessed pronounced immunostimulation by up-regulating pro-inflammatory signals including NO, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β in murine cells. Our studies provided substantial data for the high-valued application of residues and a better understanding of the structure-function relationship of polysaccharide.

Predicting Aboveground Biomass and Carbon Storage for Ma Bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) Plantations

The purpose of this study was to predict aboveground biomass (AGB) and aboveground carbon storage (AGCS) in Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro) plantations. A total of 25 bamboo samples were selected and felled based on age and diameter at breast height (DBH) classes. Two types of allometric equations (with and without an age factor) were used to develop biomass models for foliage, branches, culms and aboveground parts. Moreover, three intensively managed Ma bamboo plantations were used in this study to predict AGB and AGCS. The above two biomass models and a diameter distribution model were used to predict AGB for the three bamboo stands. The AGCS was predicted based on the AGB and percent carbon content. The results showed that the proportions of foliage, branches and culms to AGB were 11.1, 23.7 and 65.2%, respectively, at the individual bamboo level. The mean percent carbon content was predicted to be 41.68, 44.21 and 46.72% for foliage, branches and culms, respectively. The allometric equation with the age factor had better predictive ability than that without the age factor, with the former having higher R2 and lower root mean square error values. Compared to the AGB predicted by the allometric model with the age factor at the stand level, the range of relative error was from −16.56 to 5.26% and from −40.0 to 71.7% for the AGB predicted by the allometric model without the age factor and that by the diameter distribution model, respectively. According to the allometric model with the age factor, the AGB and AGCS were predicted to be 35.7 ± 3.4 and 16.3 ± 1.5 Mg ha−1, respectively, in Ma bamboo plantations. The results also reflected that the current status of Ma bamboo management is intensive management, where the focus is on harvesting bamboo shoots.

Free-ranging livestock cause forest understory degradation in giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat

Free-ranging livestock are common in reserves established for giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), which rely almost exclusively on bamboo in the montane forests of southwestern China. Previous studies have showed that overgrazing by livestock had led to a reduction in bamboo abundance. However, there is limited knowledge of how livestock impact the structure of the understory vegetation. Conducted in the Wanglang National Nature Reserve with a livestock exclosure experiment, our study aimed to fill this gap by examining the impact of livestock grazing on two important elements of forest understory bamboo and moss in giant panda habitat, and quantifying their recovery after excluding livestock. Measurements of bamboo and moss showed that both elements were severely degraded. With a closer examination, we found moss growth was worse in areas with dense bamboo or no bamboo at all, but better when there were many dead stems in bamboo clump, suggesting bamboo exerted both negative competition and positive shelter effects from livestock trampling on moss. Livestock exclusion with fence indeed exempted bamboo and moss from continuous damage which were exemplified by more bamboo shoots inside the fence and significantly decreased moss height outside the fence. However, we observed no recovery of damaged bamboo and moss inside fenced quadrats in two years. Neither the sprouted bamboo shoots matured into stems after the growing season, nor the height of moss increased. Collectively, our results suggested that long-term livestock grazing drastically altered understory layer of bamboo and moss and interactions in between, and there was hardly recovery of the understory bamboo and moss in a short term. Therefore, we recommend artificial intervention with bamboo and moss planting in severely degraded areas and long-term monitoring of understory vegetation to restore the habitat of giant panda.

Development and Acceptability of Macaroons with Shoots from Different Species of Bamboo

The study focused on the development and acceptability of macaroons made from different varieties of bamboo shoots with four flavorings. This product development research includes two major areas: preparation of bamboo shoots, and preparation of twelve type macaroons using the bamboo shoots in four different flavors. To further appreciate the developed macaroons, the researcher investigated the acceptability of the products in terms of appearance, aroma, taste, and texture, and in terms of the sensorial evaluation of bamboo shoot macaroons flavored with corn syrup, corn kernel, honey and latik along with the following age groups: children, teenagers, adults and experts. The evaluators were randomly chosen. The statistical tools utilized in this study were mean, standard deviation, and One-way between Groups Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) with Pos Hoc Analysis Using Tukey HSD when a significant difference was revealed based on the result of ANOVA. A five-point Likert scale was used in the determination of the evaluators’ rating.

Study on the Regulation Mechanism of 1-MCP Combined with SO2 Treatment on Postharvest Senescence of Bamboo Shoots (Chimonobambusa quadrangularis) in Karst Mountain Area

Fresh bamboo shoots (Chimonobambusa quadrangularis) are subjected to senescence (e.g., lignification and browning) during postharvest storage. This study investigated the effects of 1-MCP and SO2 treatment on bamboo shoot senescence and its regulation mechanism in order to extend bamboo shoot storage time. 1-MCP and SO2 treatments significantly inhibited the browning and lignification of fresh bamboo shoots during storage, according to the results. Its lower browning index and lignin content are directly related to its lower lignin content compared to the CK control group. The browning index and lignin content of the 1-MCP + SO2 treatment during the late storage period were 90.55% and 81.50% of the CK treatment, respectively. The result of the in-depth analysis suggested that 1-MCP and SO2 treatments reduced nutrient loss and maintained the nutritional value of bamboo shoots by inhibiting respiration and physiological metabolism. The PPO activity was inhibited to inhibit the browning process. Moreover, the scavenging ability of ROS was enhanced, the accumulation of MDA was inhibited, and the senescence of bamboo shoots was delayed after higher contents of total flavonoids and ascorbic acid were maintained and the activities of ascorbic acid peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were stimulated. Furthermore, lignin biosynthesis was hindered, and the lignification of bamboo shoots was delayed after the activities of POD and PAL were inhibited. In brief, 1-MCP + SO2 treatment is capable of inhibiting the physiological metabolism, browning, and lignification of bamboo shoots, maintaining good quality during storage, and delaying the senescence of bamboo shoots. Clarifying the senescence mechanism of bamboo shoots is of great significance for expanding the bamboo shoot industry and slowing down rocky desertification in karst mountainous areas.

Host plant utilisation of two Dicraeus species (Diptera: Chloropidae) feeding on bamboo flowers

ABSTRACT Bamboos are known for flowering simultaneously over a wide geographic range at long intervals of more than several decades. Florivory by Dicraeus phyllostachyus and D. nartshukae causes severe damage to bamboo seed production. However, the nature of the life history of the two Dicraeus species, particularly how they sustain populations during non-masting years of bamboos such as their host plant range, is poorly explored. We hypothesised that the two Dicraeus species host on other plant species and/or on non-floral organs of bamboos and move to bamboo florets during masting years. We tested whether the two Dicraeus species oviposit and develop on florets of grasses excluding bamboos (other grasses), and on non-floral organs of bamboos, including branch buds and bamboo shoots, by conducting a natural population survey and laboratory experiments. We found that the two Dicraeus species utilise short, slender shoots of Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis and a few other grass florets in the natural populations. Laboratory experiments also showed that the two Dicraeus species oviposited and fed on non-floral organs of bamboos and several species of other grass florets, although the oviposition rate and number of eggs varied among organs and the survival rate was low on most other grass florets. The generalised feeding ability may have enabled the two Dicraeus species to utilise the bamboo florets during masting years and become the dominant florivorous insect of bamboos. Unravelling their life history strategies may contribute to understanding adaptation in florivorous insects of masting plants as well as their impact on the evolution of masting in plants.

First report on metagenomics and their predictive functional analysis of fermented bamboo shoot food of Tripura, North East India.

Moiya pansung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye are naturally fermented bamboo shoot foods of Tripura. The present study aimed to reveal the whole microbial community structure of naturally fermented moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye along with the prediction of microbial functional profiles by shotgun metagenomic sequence analysis. The metataxonomic profile of moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye samples showed different domains, viz., bacteria (97.70%) followed by the virus (0.76%), unclassified (0.09%), eukaryotes (1.46%) and archaea (0.05%). Overall, 49 phyla, 409 families, 841 genera, and 1,799 species were found in all the fermented bamboo shoot samples collected from different places of Tripura. Firmicutes was the most abundant phylum (89.28%) followed by Proteobacteria (5.13%), Bacteroidetes (4.38%), Actinobacteria (1.02%), and Fusobacteria (0.17%). Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was the most abundant species in moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye followed by Lactococcus lactis, Levilactobacillus brevis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Weissella paramesenteroides, Leuconostoc kimchii, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc gasicomitatum, and Lacticaseibacillus casei. A few phyla of fungus were found, viz., Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota, where Ascomycota was present in high abundance. Functional analysis of moiya pangsung, mileye amileye, moiya koshak, and midukeye metagenome revealed the genes for the synthesis and metabolism of a wide range of bioactive compounds including, various essential amino acids, and conjugated amino acids. The abundance profile and predictive analysis of fermented bamboo shoots revealed a huge plethora of essential microorganisms and KEGG analysis revealed genes for amino acid metabolism, pectin degradation, lipid metabolism, and many other essential pathways that can be essential for the improvement of nutritional and sensory qualities of the fermented bamboo shoot products.

Activated Carbon with Ultrahigh Specific Surface Derived from Bamboo Shoot Shell through K2FeO4 Oxidative Pyrolysis for Adsorption of Methylene Blue.

To effectively remove methylene blue (MB) from dye wastewater, a novel activated carbon (BAC) was manufactured through co-pyrolysis of bamboo shoot shell and K2FeO4. The activation process was optimized to a temperature of 750 °C and an activation time of 90 min based on its excellent adsorption capacity of 560.94 mg/g with a yield of 10.03%. The physicochemical and adsorption properties of BACs were investigated. The BAC had an ultrahigh specific surface area of 2327.7 cm2/g and abundant active functional groups. The adsorption mechanisms included chemisorption and physisorption. The Freundlich model could be used to describe the isothermal adsorption of MB. The kinetics confirmed that the adsorption of MB belonged to the pseudo-second-order model. Intra-particle diffusion was the main rate-limiting step. The thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption process was endothermic and temperature was beneficial for the improvement of adsorption property. Furthermore, the removal rate of MB was 63.5% after three cycles. The BAC will have great potential for commercial development for purifying dye wastewater.