Properties and Pulping Potentialities of Oxytenanthera abyssinica Grown at Two Locations in Sudan

Abstract

This research was carried out to study the wood properties and pulping potentialities of Oxytenanthera abyssinica (bamboo) grown at two locations in Sudan. Standard methods of studying wood properties were followed for the collected specimens of bamboo from the Blue Nile and Khartoum States. Pulping trials were conducted using soda anthraquinone process (10%-12% sodium hydroxide and 0.1% anthraquinone–based on NaOH weight). Analysis of variance and mean separation, using Duncan’s multiple range test, were performed on the collected data. The results showed that geographical location has significant effects on the physical properties and fiber characteristics of bamboo. The cellulose and lignin contents of bamboo from the Blue Nile State were significantly higher (62.3%, 25.1%) than those of bamboo from Khartoum State (60.1%, 21.5%). Also, the results showed that the concentration of active alkali level could change yield of pulp. Using soda anthraquinone pulping method to treat bamboo enables reduction of the active alkali level to 10% instead of 12% at 165°C and gave higher yield of pulp and lower kappa number.