SOLUBILIZATION OF BAMBOO GRASS XYLAN BY STEAMING TREATMENT

Chopped culms of bamboo grass were treated with saturated steam over a range of temperatures and residence times. The effect of various parameters in the steaming treatment on the recovery yield and solubilization of xylan was investigated. The parameters included steaming temperature, residence time, initial moisture content of the substrate and solvent pre-extraction prior to steaming. Although the major factor in the steaming treatment was the temperature and residence time, solvent pre-extraction as well as initial moisture content of the substrate also significantly affected the solubilization of xylan. When the substrate was pre-extracted with water prior to steaming, a significant increase in the recovery yield of solubilized xylan was observed. The result is possibly explained by the removal of basic salts present in the original raw material.