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Prophylactic Treatment of Bamboo/Bamboo
Mats
Bamboo is easily attacked by insects and fungi due to
presence of starch and sugar in abundance. Prophylactic treatment of either
bamboo or bamboo mats is very essential to enhance their life during
storage.
There are two types of
prophylactic treatments viz.,
(1)
Traditional or Non-Chemical Treatment
(2)
Chemical Treatment.
Traditional or Non-Chemical Treatment
Traditional
or non-chemical methods are being widely used by villagers and artisans in
several countries for man centuries and the skill is passed on from
generation to generation. Typical traditional methods include: smoking, white
washing, and water storage or pounding.
Smoking:
Smoking is carried out in
chambers. This produces toxic agents and heat which destroy starch in bamboo
thus making them immune to insect attack and also blackens the culms.
White
washing
Bamboo culms and mats are
often painted with slaked lime, which prolongs their life by delaying/reducing
moisture absorption.
Storage in
Water:
Freshly cut bamboo is
stored either in running water or in water pools for 3-4 weeks to leach out
starch. This process prevents bamboo from insect attack. In case of water
pool water has to be changed frequently to prevent fouling.
Although traditionally treated bamboo show increased resistance to
insect and fungal attack compared to freshly cut culms, these methods do not
provide long term durability.
Chemical Treatment
Chemical treatment is more effective than traditional
treatments. Typical chemical treatment methods uses water soluble
preservatives like Gamma BHC 0.5%, Formalin 0.5% , Phenol+ 1 Copper sulphate
(1: 2), sodium penta chlorophenate 0.5% and Borax 1.5%. The chemicals are
dissolved in water. Bamboo or bamboo mats are either sprayed with the solution
or dipped in the solution for 10 minutes. After treatment the bamboo mats
are stored in shade till they are processed further.
Bamboo is non-durable in its natural state. Durability can be greatly
increased by preservation with safe, environment-friendly chemicals, such as
boron. Several simple and cost-effective treatment methods are available.
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