Production of Ecofriendly Natural Bamboo Bast Fiber and Assessment of Antibacterial Activity

Since fibers are strongly bonded in bamboo, production of fibers in their natural bast form is very difficult. Due to this difficulty, most fiber produced from bamboo is viscose, a non-eco-friendly production process. However, this study reveals some ecofriendly processing routes to produce spinnable natural bast fibers retaining antibacterial and other innate properties. It was found that natural bamboo fibers showed better antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus than even raw bamboo (Phyllostachys rubromarginata) itself. Bamboo appears to have both microbe attracting and repulsing compounds. By removing bacteria attracting soluble compounds, antibacterial activity improves in natural bamboo bast fibers. Viscose processes remove both kind of compounds by harsh chemicals. Viscose may show antibacterial activity due to the presence of some residual processing chemicals that may be harmful. This study provides evidences of natural antibacterial activity in Phyllostachys rubromarginata bamboo bast fibers