Longitudinal and Radial Distribution of Free Glucose and Starch in Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel)

Abstract

The longitudinal and radial distribution of the free glucose and starch was determine in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) culms by the ‘Alkaline extraction-Glucoamylase hydrolysis’ method. The free glucose content was generally lower in the upper parts of the culm, the starch content was highest in the mid height (6 m) section, and it decreased almost linearly in the lower and the higher sections. Regarding the radical distribution, the free glucose and starch contents were generally higher in the inner part of the culm. This characteristic localization of free glucose is likely to be associated with the distribution of the particular nutrient storage cell, i.e., parenchyma cells. On the other hand, it is suggested that the starch content of moso bamboo does not depend on the proportion of parenchyma cells alone but also on the abundance of starch grains in the cells.