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Cold-water in situ dissolution of bamboo starch in a bioreactor: inducing forest recovery from an anthropogenic disturbance
Harris, M. A. & Koomson, C. K.
Abstract
Using young forest trees as the source for
timber, yam sticks have in recent years produced record
rates of deforestation in Jamaica and, reportedly, in Western
Africa and Southeast Asia. Regeneration periods for
plants producing timber yam sticks (which decompose
after 2 years) are approximately 10 years compared to
3–4 years for bamboo. But when used as a yam stick,
bamboo decomposes even more rapidly and hence is
unsatisfactory. For treatment (a), four 7-day periods of
submergence in cold, stagnant water removed carbohydrates
including starch. This increased the longevity of yam
sticks from 5–7 months (untreated) to a period exceeding
2 years. Treatment (b) excluded soaking, and after slowdrying,
a surface coating of polyurethane was applied. This
treatment marginally increased longevity. It was concluded
that alcoholic alkali conditions in the stagnant cold water
increased bamboo yam stick longevity by dissolving and
removing the main nutrient for decomposers, namely
starch. Further, lateral struts on the bamboo yam sticks
substantially increased tuber yields by exposing more
leaves to direct sunlight. The incentive of increased tuber
yields for farmers, the improved longevity of bamboo yam
sticks, and the relatively rapid growth of bamboo promises
an effective tool for curbing deforestation caused by yam
stick harvesting.
Keywords
Alcoholic alkali; Amylose; Cockpit; Country; Deforestation; Starch dissolution
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