The basic density, cellulosic fibers and starch contents in the axial and radial directions were determined in three-year old culms of Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. The samples were obtained considering the useful length of the culm at the base and at 25, 50, 75 and 100% of the useful length. In the radial direction the culm wall thickness was divided in five equal parts. The results showed that the lowest values of the basic density were obtained in the basal position of the culm (0.660 g/cm³) and in the inner parts of the culm wall (0.690 g/cm³). The cellulosic fibers contents (38.7 to 40.1%) and starch percentages (26.2 to 29.7%) didn't vary significantly along the culm length. In the radial direction the cellulosic fiber concentration vary from 48.8 to 28.3%, being the highest value obtained in the outer portion of the culm. For the starch contents (20.0 to 35.1%) the highest value was observed in the inner portion of the bamboo culm.
bamboo; Bambusa vulgaris Schrad.; cellulosic fibers; starch