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This study aimed to analyze the basic properties (chemical composition and physical and mechanical properties) of belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) and its potential as a particleboard reinforcement material, aimed at increasing the mechanical properties of the boards. The chemical composition was determined by Fourier transform near infrared (NIR) analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The physical and mechanical properties of bamboo were evaluated following the Japanese standard JIS A 5908 (2003) and the ISO 22157:2004 standard, respectively. The results showed that this bamboo had average lignin, holocellulose, and alpha-cellulose content of 29.78%, 65.13%, and 41.48%, respectively, with a degree of crystallinity of 33.54%. The physical properties of bamboo, including specific gravity, inner and outer diameter shrinkage, and linear shrinkage, were 0.59%, 2.18%, 2.26%, and 0.18%, respectively. Meanwhile, bamboo’s mechanical properties, including compressive strength, shear strength, and tensile strength, were 42.19 MPa, 7.63 MPa, and 163.8 MPa, respectively. Markedly, the addition of belangke bamboo strands as a reinforcing material (surface coating) in particleboards significantly improved the mechanical properties of the boards, increasing the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and bending strength (MOR) values of the fabricated composites by 16 and 3 times.

The objective of this research was to determine the wood basic properties of eight years-old fast-growing teakwood (Tectona grandis – Platinum teak wood), in the radial direction of the stem. The anatomical features of the examined teak wood showed semi-ring porous and in general, they had a similarity to those of the conventional teak wood. The ray cell proportion was increased along with the increased distance from the pith area. The size of vessel cell tended to change from pith to the outer part. The radial (R) and tangential (T) shrinkage had improvement compared to those of five years-old Platinum teak wood. The R and T shrinkages were 2.89% and 6.2%, respectively. The present results suggested that wood properties of eight years-old Platinum teak wood is more stable than those of five years-old as reported in the previous study. The compression strength was also increased during the increase of growth age. The values of compression perpendicular and parallel to the grain were 76.74 kg/cm2 and 367.9 kg/cm2, respectively. The increasing of the radial properties indicated that eight years-old Platinum teak wood was still in juvenile stage.

Recent studies have revealed that sengon (Paraserianthes falcataria) xylem consists of soft walls which are easily hydrolysable with a commercial cellulase preparation. We felt it important to determine the saccharification levels for fast-growing tropical trees, of which sengon, one of the fastest growing tree species in Indonesia, was used as the control wood species. The aim of this study was to screen and evaluate the xylem of Purwodadi Botanical Garden trees for saccharification in order to assess their potential usefulness in bioethanol production. Saccharification and fermentation were first examined in the xylem derived from the branches of 32 trees. The xylem was then milled into powder using a ball mill, and the powdered xylem was digested with a commercial cellulase preparation (Accelerase, Palo Alto, USA) derived from Trichoderma viride. The levels of enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose and ethanol production were higher for Firmiana malayana and Pterocarpus indicus than for sengon.

Removing the outer part of bamboo for manufacturing flat bamboo lamination has disadvantage on the density of the product. The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the fixation of compressed bamboo from curved cross-section slats. The compression of bamboo slats using densification technique was aimed for uniform density. Furthermore, steam treatments were conducted to fix the deformation. The compressed bamboo slats revealed that the density of the samples at the bottom parts increased from 0.40–0.56 g/cm3 to 0.89–1.05 g/cm3 after pressing with a compression level between 46.98–63.97%, while the samples in the middle parts increased from 0.70–0.83 g/cm3 to 1.02–1.18 g/cm3 with the compression level of 32.92–41.50%. These results were slightly higher than that of the upper parts, which was between 0.91–0.98 g/cm3. The recovery of set decreased and the weight loss increased with  increasing  temperature and steam treatment time. Fixation of compressive deformation could be achieved at 160°C within 60 minutes. The bottom parts of samples experienced a slightly greater weight loss compared to the middle parts, i.e. 8.38% and 7.49%, respectively. The anatomical structure of bamboo tended to deform during densification process. Furthermore, the steam treatments affected  the colour of densified bamboo which became darker. From this experiment, it can be concluded that the manufacture of laminated bamboo from bamboo slats can be uniformed in strength by equalizing the density at the bottom and middle with the upper parts through the densification technique. However, further research should be conducted to know the delamination and shear strength of the bamboo lamination.

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The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of two methods of processing Bambara Groundnut Offal (BGO), toasted and enzyme supplemented in broiler chicken diets on haematology and carcass characteristics of broiler finisher chicken. One hundred and eight (108) four- weeks- old unsexed commercial broiler chicks were divided into three groups (T10% T220% T320%) of 36 birds, each replicated three times with 12 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design and fed for 28 days. Haematological parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. Result of carcass characteristics showed that live weight, eviscerated weight, dressed weight, back weight, drumstick weight, breast weight, thigh weight and caecum weight were significantly (p<0.05) affected. Birds fed enzyme supplemented BGO diets recorded higher weights compared with birds fed toasted BGO and the control diets. Other carcass  characteristics such as wing weight, neck weight, head weight,  shank weight and other internal organ characteristics were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. From the result, significant parameters have shown that birds fed bioenzyme supplemented BGO diets were superior to birds fed toasted BGO and the control diet. It is therefore recommended that 2g/kg bioenzyme supplemented BGO diet should be used at 20% BGO inclusion rate for finishing broiler chicken without adverse effect on the haematology and for increased carcass weight.