Abstract

Determining the variation of chemical properties of the two varieties of Bambusa vulgaris is important to provide the information on the similarity and comparison of the chemical constituents for appropriate utilization. This study was therefore conducted to determine the chemical properties of the two available Bambusa vulgaris in Nigeria. Samples were collected from the two varieties of B. vulgaris at the base (5%), the middle (50%) and the top (90%) along the stem of the two varieties of the species. The chemical constituents evaluated includes: Celluiose, Hemicellulose, Holocellulose, Lignin and Ash content following standard procedure. The mean cellulose, Hemicellulose, Holocellulose, Lignin and Ash content for wamin and vitata respectively are: 45.94% and 46.19%, 38.38% and 38.33%, 74.86 and 74.61, 27.64% and 27.60%, and 0.72% and 0.82%. all the parameters except Holocellulose decrease from the base to the top. There was no significant difference in all the parameters between the varieties and among the sampling height. Most of the chemical characteristics of the varieties of reduced from base to top. The chemical constituent of the two varieties of Bambusa vulgaris compared favourably with some other wood species

Keywords: Chemical Constituents, Bambusa vulgaris, Cellulose, Hemicellulose and ash