Furfurylation Enhances Water Resistance, Durability and Strength of Treated Thyrsostachys Oliveri Bamboo in India

Abstract

Thyrsostachys oliveri (T. oliveri) is one of the bamboo species found throughout South and Southeast Asia, representing a group of clumped bamboos that remain underutilized despite their prevalence in the region. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vacuum-pressure applied Furfuryl alcohol (FA) treatment on Indian landrace of T. oliveri bamboo’s durability and physical characteristics. Bamboo samples were treated with varying concentrations of FA using a vacuum-pressure process and assessed for weight gain, density, water absorption, equilibrium moisture content, colour change, and resistance to white rot fungal decay. The results show significant improvements: water absorption decreases by 45-60%, equilibrium moisture content is reduced by 30-50%, and mass loss due to white rot (Schizophyllum commune) decreases by 70-85%, alongside notable colour darkening (ΔE* values of 15-25). The study concludes that furfurylation effectively enhances T. oliveri bamboo’s properties, making it a promising strategy for sustainable utilization. Further research on mechanical properties and scaling-up furfurylation for industrial bamboo applications is hereby recommended.