In this study, we observed the rhizome and root anatomy of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) with scanning electron microscopy compared with the anatomy of the culm. The epidermis of culm, rhizome, and root were hard multi-layered and composed silica cells. The culm and rhizome consist of the epidermal, parenchyma, and vascular tissues. Although features of the anatomical structure of the rhizome were similar to those of the culm, the shape and distribution of vascular bundles and parenchyma differed between the organs.
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) is one of the most important platform intermediates for the future synthesis of liquid transportation biofuel and other valuable compounds. This study aimed to identify ionic liquids that can convert wood into 5-HMF without catalysts. Glucose was converted into 5-HMF without catalysts in ionic liquids that contain sulfonyl groups, such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate ([EMIM]HSO 4 ) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium q-toluenesulfonate ([EMIM]Tos). However, [EMIM]Tos produced less 5-HMF from cellulose and wood, compared with [EMIM]HSO 4 . This is due to the difference of ability to decompose cellulose and wood between these ionic liquids. Consequently, among various ionic liquids studied, [EMIM]HSO 4 achieved the highest yield of 5-HMF from wood and cellulose at 4.5 and 10.2 wt% yields, respectively, after 10 h at 140°C.
Although culms of bamboo are utilized for various materials, technologies for effective use of bamboo rhizomes have not been established yet. In this study, therefore we analyzed the rhizomes of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) to determine their chemical components and to quantify various inorganic substances for the purpose of the investigation of their fundamental characteristics. The ash and extractable compounds contents were much higher in the rhizomes than in the culms. The lignin and cellulose contents were higher in the culms than in the rhizomes. The hemicellulose content was higher in the rhizomes than in the culms. The ash particles formed various shapes: needles, grains, and fluff. The ash particles contained high levels of O, Mg, Si, P, S, and K. We mapped the localization of various inorganic substances in the rhizome, and observed that Si was concentrated in the epidermis. The distributions of elements were different among various tissues in the rhizome such as metaphloem and tylosoid. The amount of extractives tended to increase in rhizomes from summer to autumn. The amount of free saccharides such as sucrose, glucose and fructose, and starch tended to decrease in summer and increase from winter to spring. The highest free saccharides and starch content (12%) was in rhizomes collected in April. Sucrose and starch were the main components of total free saccharides and starch in all seasons.
Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) using an ionic liquid, 1-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([MIM]HSO4), was investigated. 5-HMF can be produced from C. japonica at temperatures above 120 °C. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was about 9 wt% after 15 min of treatment at 160 °C. However, 5-HMF produced in this process tended to decompose as the treatment continued. To avoid decomposition and to provide a means of recovering 5-HMF from [MIM]HSO4, three reaction systems based on [MIM]HSO4 were investigated: biphasic [MIM]HSO4/organic solvent system, [MIM]HSO4 with vacuum distillation, and [MIM]HSO4 with vacuum steam distillation. The [MIM]HSO4 reaction system combined with vacuum steam distillation was most effective. The maximum yield of 5-HMF was 17.5 wt% after treatment for 45 min at 160 °C. The combination of [MIM]HSO4 treatment with vacuum steam distillation is suitable for 5-HMF production because it is a one-pot process without the need for catalysts or pretreatment.
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