Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences Abbreviated Key Title: Sch Acad J Biosci ISSN 2347-9515 (Print) | ISSN 2321-6883 (Online) Journal homepage: https://saspublishers.com/sajb/ Biosciences Anatomical Properties of Cultivated 3-Year-Old Bamboo Gigantochloa Levis and G. Scotechinii Razak Wahab1*, Mohamad Saiful Sulaiman1, Mohd Tamizi Mustafa2, Ros Syazmini Mohd Ghani1, Nasihah Mokhtar1 & Taharah Edin1 1 University College Technology Sarawak (UCTS), 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 2 DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2020.v08i02.003 | Received: 06.02.2020 | Accepted: 14.02.2020 | Published: 18.02.2020 *Corresponding author: Razak Wahab Abstract Original Research Article The anatomical properties of 3-year-old tropical bamboos Gigantochloa levis and G. scotechinii. These bamboos were selected and harvested from the plantation plots located at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia in Kepong, Selangor. The studies focussed on the vascular bundles and fibres the located at the internodes and nodes seven, eight and nine at the outer, middle and inner cross-section of the bamboo culms. Data were taken on the sizes of the vascular bundle's length, vascular bundles width, fibre length, diameter, lumens diameter, walls thickness and fibre Runkle’s ratio between each of the bamboo species with the sample's location at the internodes, nodes, and locations in the cross-section of the bamboo culms. The two bamboo species exhibited similar in characteristics but having different sizes in anatomy and microstructure features. The results in the fibre's morphology studies showed that the fibres for each species possess different anatomy characteristics and properties in having different lengths, diameters, cell walls thickness and lumen sizes. The size of the vascular bundle is smaller at the outer position and become more prominent at the central locations. Keywords: Cultivated Gigantochloa levis, G. scotechinii, anatomical studies, vascular bundles, fibres, microstructure features. Copyright @ 2020: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use (NonCommercial, or CC-BY-NC) provided the original author and source are credited INTRODUCTION Bamboo categorized as non-wood forest products are the best possible alternative to replace timber in the future. It took between three to four years for bamboo to mature before harvesting. Research in products utilization of bamboo in the modern era has recently intensified. Bamboo products are now used in the engineered bioresources products. Bamboo, considered among the fastest-growing plant, has been the focus of research and development in recent years. However, the study of cultivated bamboo stands has so far mostly confined to selected species in silviculture and fertilisers application to enhance growth [1]. Properties of bamboo culms such as the anatomical structures and physical characteristics are known to influences on their durability and strength [2-6]. This is supported by Wahab et al., [2] in their studies on the anatomical and physical properties of cultivated Bambusa vulgaris. The information generated on the anatomical properties pf bamboo can be used to determine their possible proper utilisation. Currently, most of the bamboos are used for making traditional products such as handicraft, basketry, and high-value-added products. Gigantochloa species are considered the most popular among the bamboo-based industry in the tropical regions. These bamboos are easy to regenerate. They possess thick culms wall and having a uniform long length between the nodes and internodes. These make them suitable as materials for industrial usage. This study aims to determining the anatomical and structural properties between bamboo G. levis and G. scotechinii. These properties investigated due to their strong relationship with strength, preservative absorption, distribution and likely pathways for colonization by micro-organisms [7-9]. RESEARCH METHODS MATERIALS Bamboo culms of cultivated species Gigantachloa levis, G.scortechinii and G.wrayi were harvested from the forest managed area in the FRIM, © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 30 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 Kepong, Selangor, Malaysia. Matured bamboo culms of 3-year-old were selected as they found to be most suitable as the for industrial uses. These culms with a diameter range from 10-18 cm in diameter were taken from randomly chosen clumps, depending on species. Each culm was marked and cut at nodes and internodes 7, 8 and 9. End-coating paint was applied to newly cut surfaces of the culms before transported to the laboratory. The applied paint reduces or preventing moisture evaporation and act as barriers in preventing fungal and insect attacks on the bamboo. The total number of the specimen taken was about ten (10) culms per species. Sample Preparation The bamboo culms were segregated according to the species, and further sub-segregated into nodes and internodes pieces. Specimen blocks intended for anatomical investigations were fixed in formalin-acetic acid (FAA) solution and kept in closed bottles. The FAA consists of 90% ethanol (70% concentration), 4% glacial acetic acid and 6% formaldehyde (37-48% concentration) [4]. Each culm was consistently cross-cut into samples consisting of position with and without nodes for subsequent respective studies. Anatomy Assessment The technique used by Wahab et al., [2, 3] and Latif and Tamizi [5] applied in measuring and counting in the distribution of the vascular bundles on the bamboo surface at the cross-section. The anatomical characteristic of the three (3) bamboo species with two locations (node and internode) and three (3) positions (outer, middle and inner layer) of the bamboo culm was studied. Vascular Bundles Method of measuring the vascular bundles' distribution and fibre dimensions was also adopted from the technique used by Wahab et al., [2, 3] and Latif and Tamizi [5]. Vascular bundle size The measuring tools of the scanning electron microscope were used in measuring the sizes of the vascular bundles [10]. Determination of Fiber Morphology Bamboo Maceration The bamboos were split to size 20 mm x 10 mm x thickness than was cut tangentially and divided into 3 equal sections (inner, middle and outer layer). Each section was split radials into match stick sizes using a sharp knife. Macerates were prepared from match-stick size's bamboo by placing them in a solution containing glacial acetic acid (M=60.05g/mol) and hydrogen peroxide (30% and M=34.01 g/mol) at ratio 1:1. The bamboos in the solution were heated over a water bath inside a fume chamber for 2-3 hours until it becomes soft and white. One or two drops of sodium hydrogen carbonate crystals were added to neutralize the acid before the mixture was decanted and washed with distilled water. A through shaking of the mixture was done to separate the individual fibers. Safranin was used to colour the extracted fiber to red. One hundred undamaged or unbroken fibres were measured for their length (L), fibre widths (d), lumen diameter (l) and cell wall thickness (w). Quantimeter Image Analyzer equipped with Lecia Microscope and Hipad Digitizer (Quantimet 520, Cambridge Instruments) was used to observe and measured at computer images at 10 x (length), 100 x (diameter) and 100 x (lumen) magnifications. The calculations of felting factor (L/d), Runkel’s ratio (2w/l), and coefficient of the suppleness or flexibility ratio (l/d) carried out in accordance to Mustafa et al., [10]. Cell Wall Structure in Electron Microcopy The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to analyse the fine structure of the bamboo cell walls. For SEM analysis, the samples were then selected and cut into a smaller size for the shorter duration of pre vacuum process. The surface section of samples was cut using high speed microtome blade to ensure the smooth surface. The samples went through pre vacuum process on a thin plate before the Aurum coating process took place (about 20 nm) to ensure the efficient conductivity for the analysis process. The apparatus for the coating process is called ‘sputters coater’ Fison SC 515. Scanning analysis was performed using ‘Leica Cambridge S - 360’, with magnification up to 4000 times. The samples for TEM analysis were dehydrated in an ethanol series and embedded in Spurr resin. For cell wall structure of bamboo fiber, they were chosen according to species and position in bamboo culm and cut into pieces of 2 x 3 blocks. Samples were then dehydrated in an ethanol series and embedded in Spurr resin (Epon), which polymerized for 24 hours at 60°C. Transverse sections (1µm) were cut from the embedded material, using the Sorvall ultra microtome (MT 5000) and stained with 1% Toluidine Blue for lignin distribution determination. This gives a high contrast to lignin rich structure such as middle lamellas and cell corners. The section was viewed under the polarized microscope (Nikon YS2-H). Ultra-thin sections (0.1µm) were obtained from embedded samples, stained with 2% uranyl acetate and lead citrate and finally viewed under TEM (energy filter - Zeiss Libra®120). RESULT AND DISCUSSION Vascular Bundle Distribution The result for the vascular bundle's distribution on the two (2) selected Gigantochloa species are shown in Table 1. The mean number of vascular bundle for G. scortechinii was 6.38 bundle/4 mm2 and G. levis at 4.33 bundle/4 mm2. These were in agreement with Wahab et al., [3] and Latif [11] finding in the number of vascular © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 31 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 bundles in G. scortechinii. The anatomical features within and between culm of different or even the same bamboo species may vary as the individual characteristic of the bamboo itself [7, 10-12]. Different number of vascular bundle in the node and the internode sections were observed in the bamboo culm. The distributions of vascular bundles in the internodes were higher than the nodes. The vascular bundles were also observed to be higher in the number and more compacted in the outer layers of the bamboo culm than those in the inner layers. This is acknowledged by other researchers [13, 5, 14]. Li [15] in her studies on a monopodial bamboo P. pubescens found that the numbers of vascular bundles were higher compared to the simpodial bamboo species. Hisham et al., [14] studied on the anatomical, physical and chemical properties the characterization of bamboo G. scortechinii at different ages found that the number of vascular bundle's increases from the inner zone towards the outer zone. Similar trend was reported in sympodial bamboo Phyllostachys pubescens [16]. This indicates that bamboo possesses long and small vascular bundle at the outer zone, but short and big inner the inner zone [6]. Vascular Bundle Length The results on the the measurement of the vascular bundles length is shown in Table-2. The higher mean of vascular bundle length at internodes were G. levis (1171.14 µm) followed by G. scortechinii (787.19 µm). The vascular bundle length at the nodes were G. levis (1193.89 µm) followed by G. scortechinii (1078.20 µm). The vascular bundles lengths were longer at the node than the internodes. The mean average of vascular bundle length for outer layer position was 748.54 µm, middle layer 1013.25 µm and for inner layer was 1131.42 µm. The vascular bundles lengths were longer at the middle than at the outer and inner periphery. Vascular Bundle Width The results on the measurement of the vascular bundles width is showed in Table-3. The higher mean of vascular bundle width at the internodes were G. levis (798.26 µm) and G. scortechinii (544.63 µm). Significant difference in the vascular bundle width between the internodes and nodes at different position are noted. The internodes vascular bundle width was 585.42 µm and for nodes was 630.70 µm. The vascular bundles width was observed to be higher at the node. The mean average of vascular bundle width for outer layer position was 467.23 µm, middle layer 599.76 µm and for inner layer was 757.19 µm. It shows the significant different between the vascular bundles in samples position. Vascular bundle width was widened at the inner and smaller toward the outer periphery position. This is due to the size of vascular bundle which were smaller and compact at the outer layer, compared to the inner layer of bamboo culms. Fiber Morphology Fiber Length The results for the fiber lengths study of the various Gigantochloa species are showed in Table-5, Plate 1 and 2. The statistical analysis shows significant different in the fiber length between the bamboo species. The higher length was obtained from the G. levis (2039.98 µm) follow by G. scortechinii (1745.27 µm). The internode fiber length was 2074.24 µm and for node was 1672.62 µm. It shows there was significant different between position at internode and node. The fiber length was higher at the internode compare to the node. At the internode, the anatomy structure was constant but at the node it was quite twisted. The anatomical factor, maybe contribute the different of fiber length between two position. The mean of the fibreer length for outer layer position was 1698.52 µm, middle layer 2060.41 µm and for inner layer was 1861.35 µm. These show that there were significant different in the fiber length at the internodes, nodes and between the cross-sectional position of the bamboo. Similar observations were made at the internodes and nodes, which shows that the fiber possess longer fiber at the middle layer of bamboo. The same trends were also observed for all the three bamboo species in this study. The fiber length shows considerable differences between species as well as variations within one culm [17]. The mean average for fiber length in genera Gigantochloa from this study was 1600 - 2000 μm. The result obtained by Hisham et al., [14] studies on G. scotechinii was between 2350 - 2630 μm. While Ireana 2009 [20], study on B. blumeana found the length of fiber was around 2900 μm. B.vulgaris fiber length is 3600 - 4700 μm [2], 1940 - 2430 μm [11]. The fiber length of G. levis and G. scortechinii in this study ranged 1750 – 2040 μm while the fiber from P. Pubescens which growth in large areas of China, Japan, Taiwan and Indochina was about 1300 μm length [13]. Liese [13] studied the structure of bamboo in relation to its properties and utilization. He noted that the fibers contribute 60-70% by weight of the total culm tissue. Certain species generally have shorter fibers, such as Phyllostachys edulis (1.5 mm), Ph. pubescens (1300 μm), other longer ones like Dendrocalamus giganteus (3200 μm), Oxytenanthera nigrocilliata (3600 μm), D. membranaceus (4300 μm). Comparison with the fiber length of the Softwood (3600 μm), The fiber length of Gigantochloa (1600 - 2000 μm) genera was clearly shorter, but still longer than hardwood (1200 μm). In fact it is longer than the Eucalytus spp which was popular as a source of short fibers pulp for paper industry [18, 19]. The short-fiber pulp using by paper mill in Malaysia was the Eucalytus spp imported from Brazil. The fibers are combined long fibers pulp from the Softwood imported from Canada. There was a great potential that Gigantochloa fibers can be use as a pulp for future in Malaysia. © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 32 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 Fibre Diameter Table-5 shows the fiber diameter obtained from the study. The larger fiber diameter were G. levis (22.67 µm) followed by G. scortechinii (17.26 µm). The fiber diameter at different position showed that the node has larger fiber diameter at 22.04 µm and internodes at 18.23 µm. Significant different existed between the fiber diameter in make at the internodes and nodes. The fiber diameter at different position showed that the outer layer were 18.49 µm, middle layer 22.36 µm and inner layer 19.56µm. The fiber diameter of the Gigantochloa genera in this study ranged between 17-22.8 μm. The previous studies on the fiber diameter for G. scortechinii were 26 μm [14], 23-37 μm [11], while studies on the species of bambusa genera found that; fiber diameter for B. blumeana were 12.0 μm [20], B. vulgaris was 16.9-18.0 μm [2], 20-42 μm [11]. This study found that the fiber diameter were smaller than the previous studies. The diameter of the fiber of this study was 17-22.8 μm and is smaller than the Softwood (35 μm) and hardwood (25 μm). The comparison between the fiber diameter on this study showed that the fiber diameter Gigantochloa genera (17-22.8μm) was bigger than Eucalytus spp (15.5 - 16.3μm). Lumen Diameter The results on the measurement of the lumen diameter of the two Gigantochloa species are shown in Table 5. The lumen diameter for G. scortechinii and G. wrayi were 8.60 µm and 4.75 µm, respectively. The results obtained in G. scortechinii were almost the same as obtained by Tamizi et al., [10] and Hisham et al., [14], but smaller than those obtained by Latif [11]. The lumen diameter for Bambusa were 1.6 μm for B. blumeana [20], 2.3-2.6 μm for B. vulgaris [2]. The lumen diameter for Eucalytus spp was 8.5-9.5 μm. The mean average for lumen diameter at different position showed that for the lumen diameter at node was 6.18 µm and for the internodes was 4.43µm. The results showed the lumen diameter were larger at the node compare to the internodes. The mean average for lumen diameter at difference position showed that at the outer layer was 5.44 µm, middle layer was 5.51 µm and at the inner layer was 5.96 µm. The result showed the lumen diameter was largest at the inner and smaller toward the outer layer and it was a significantly difference. Wall Thickness The results on the measurement of the wall thickness between the two bamboo species are shown in Table-5. G. levis with 9.34 µm possess thicker wall compare to the G. scortechinii at 4.30 µm. The wall thickness at different position showed that for the wall thickness at node was 7.02 µm and for the internodes was 6.90 µm. The result showed the wall thickness are thicker at the node as compare to the internodes and it was a significantly difference between this two position. The wall thickness at difference position showed the outer layer was 7.03 µm, middle layer 8.43 µm and at the inner layer was 6.80 µm. The result showed the wall thickness are thicker at the outer and thinner toward the inner layer. From this study the fiber wall thickness for both species ranged 4.3-9.34 μm. The fiber wall thickness for G. scortechinii obtained by Hisham et al., [14] was 8-10 μm and Latif [11] was 12.5-30.1 μm. The fiber wall thickness of G.wrayi (9.02 µm), G.brang (9.34 µm) was thicker than B. blumeana which was 5.01 μm (Ireana, 2009), B. vulgaris which was 7.1-7.6 μm [2], 2.5-13.3 μm [11]. As a comparison, the fiber wall thickness of G.scortechinii almost similar with fiber wall thickness of Eucalytus spp which was 4.3 μm and 3.29-3.86 μm [21], respectively. Analysis of Varianace The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the above studies is shown in Tables 4 and 5. Table-4 shows the ANOVA on the vascular bundle distribution, vascular bundle length and vascular bundles width between the bamboo species at nodes and internodes. Table 5 shows the ANOVA on the length, fiber diameter, fiber lumen diameter, fiber wall thickness and Runkle’s ratio between the bamboo species, position and position. Fiber Runkle’s ratio The results on the fiber Runkle’s ratio between the three Gigantochloa species are shown in Table-6. The higher mean of fiber Runkle’s ratio was G. levis 5.32 and the G. scortechinii 1.35. The mean average of fiber Runkle’s ratio for internode was 4.17 and for node was 3.68. It shows there was significant different of the Fiber Runkle’s ratio between position at node and internode of the bamboo. The result showed the fiber Runkle’s ratio was bigger at the node as compare to the internodes and it was a significantly difference between this two position. Table-6 showed the value of fiber Runkle’s ratio at node and internode. The mean average for fiber Runkle’s ratio at difference position showed that at the outer layer was 7.03, middle 8.43 and at the inner layer was 6.80. The result showed that the fiber Runkle’s ratio is bigger at the middle and thinner toward the inner and outer layer. It was a significantly difference between this three position. Table-6 showed the fiber Runkle’s ratio value for every species, position and position. Runkle's ratio of fiber in this study was higher than 1.0 for G. wrayi and G. levis. G. scortechinii was the only species has the value of Runkle’s ratio less than 1.0. The Runkle's ratio value more than one, this main the fiber properties was hard and difficult to felting during the paper production. The quality of the paper will be gross and poor bonding if Runkle’s ratio value more than one. If the Runkel’s ratio less than one, it indicates the fiber has a thin fiber wall and easily to felting. The quality of the paper will be better and bonding will be good. This indicates that G.scortechinii could be a source to replace short-fiber pulp that was imported from abroad. Eucalytus spp, the Runkle's ratio is less than 1.0, namely 0.7 and 0.8 [21] © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 33 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 was even shorter fiber than G.scortechinii. The Runkle's for hardwood and Softwood was 0.4-0.7 and 0.35 respectively. Kenaf has Runkle's ratio of 0.5-0.7 to prove they are good fiber felting power. Runkle's ratio for G.scortechinii was lowest than value one, which was 0.97 to prove it can still be used. Microstructure Study The microstructure studies on the Gigantochloa levis and G. scortttechinii are shown in Plates 1 to 6. Plates 1 & 2 shows the ultrastructures of the internodes and nodes focusing at the vascular bundles of the G. levis, and G. scortechinii taken using the SEM. Plates 3 and 4 shows the images of the bamboo species taken using TEM focusing on the fibres cells. The cells wall of the fibres clearly indicates that they possess more than two layers, which were S1, S2, S3 and Sn... All the two bamboo species show clear that they belong to the bamboo is bamboo in class type III [4]. They possess a vascular sheath fibre and one fibre strand. Even though all the cells are similar in shape but they are however different in sizes in position at internodes and nodes, and position in the bamboo at either the outer, middle and the inner layers. The distribution of the vascular bundles per mm2, vascular length, vascular bundle width are shown in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. The fibres length, diameter, lumen diameters, wall thickness and the Rumkle’s ratio are given in Tables 5 and 6. Table-1: Number of vascular bundle (per 4 mm2) between G. levis and G. scortechinii Position Location G. levis G. scortechinii Outer 7.46 (±1.72) 13.24 (±1.75) Internode Middle 3.00 (±0.54) 6.44 (±1.12) Inner 2.54 (±0.40) 3.50 (±0.64) Mean 4.33 (±0.87) 7.73 (±1.17) Outer 5.94 (±3.40) 10.55(±1.77) Node Middle 3.56 (±1.03) 5.80 (±1.40) Inner 2.87(± 0.88) 2.75 (±1.13) Mean 4.12 (±1.77) 6.37 (±1.43) Values in bracket represent the standard deviation, Table-2: Vascular bundle length (µm) between G. levis and G. scortechinii. Position Location G.levis G.scortechinii Outer 928.73 (±303.07) 625.77 (±232.89) Internode Middle 1176.49 (±144.23) 882.32 (±74.07) Inner 1408.20 (± 210.11) 853.60 (±110.02) Mean 1171.14 (±219.13) 787.19 (±138.99) Outer 769.09 (± 129.79) 785.40 (±193.88) Node Middle 1387.66 (±65.41) 999.55 (±157.05) Inner 1424.92 (±99.85) 1449.64 (±172.69) Mean 1193.89 (±98.35) 1078.20 (±174.54) Values in bracket represent the standard deviation Table-3: Average vascular bundle width (µm) between G. levis and G. scortechinii. Position Location G.levis G.scortechinii Outer 610.61 (±129.41) 382.41 (±141.22) Internode Middle 723.01 (±93.36) 494.11 (±73.87) Inner 1061.18 (±103.56) 627.62 (±101.20) Mean 798.26 (±108.78) 501.38 (±105.43) Outer 570.89 (± 89.88) 478.04 (±46.60) Node Middle 752.93 (±76.08) 593.74 (±72.24) Inner 837.48 (±73.18) 691.88 (±92.30) Mean 720.43 (±79.71) 587.89 (±70.38) Values in bracket represent the standard deviation © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 34 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 Table-4: Analysis of variance for anatomical properties between bamboo species, position & position Anatomical Properties No. Vascular bundle Vascular bundle length Vascular bundle Width Species G. levis 4.23c 1182.51a 759.35a G. scortechinii 7.05a 932.71b 544.63c Position Internode 6.32a 869.87b 585.42b Node 4.93b 1058.94a 630.70a Location Outer layer 8.56a 748.54c 467.23c Middle layer 4.89b 1013.25b 599.76b Inner layer 3.42c 1131.42a 757.19a Table-5: Analysis of variance for fibre morphology between species, position & position Fibre Morphology Fibre Length Fiber Diameter Lumen Diameter Wall Runkle’s Thickness Ration Species G. levis 2039.98a 22.67a 4.00c 9.34a 5.32a G. scortechinii 1745.27c 17.26b 8.66a 4.30c 1.35d Position Internode 2074.24a 18.23b 4.43b 6.90b 4.17a Node 1672.62b 22.04a 6.18a 7.02a 3.68b Location Outer layer 1698.52c 18.49c 5.44c 7.03b 4.04b Middle layer 2060.41a 22.36a 5.51b 8.43a 4.29a Inner layer 1861.35b 19.56b 5.96a 6.80c 3.45c Values followed by the same letter in a column is not significant different at 95% probability level. Table-6: Runkle’s ratio of various Gigantochloa species Sample Position Location G.levis G.scortechinii Outer 4.71 (±2.80) 2.16 (±1.50) Internode Middle 7.19 (±3.09) 1.42 (±0.95) Inner 5.44 (±2.09) 0.97 (±0.78) Outer 4.62 (±2.09) 1.71 (±0.96) Node Middle 5.29 (±2.64) 1.06 (±0.64) Inner 4.64 (±2.55) 0.79 (±0.57) Values in bracket represent the standard deviation A A B B © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 35 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 C Node C Internode Plate -1: SEM images of the vascular bundles at internodes and nodes of the G. levis A A B B C Internode C Node Plate 2: SEM images of the vascular bundles at internodes and nodes of the G. scortechinii Note: SEM image at the internodes and nodes of G. levis and G. scortechinii. Distribution of vascular bundle (left), Isometric view (central) and vascular bundle image (right). © 2020 Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences | Published by SAS Publishers, India 36 Razak Wahab et al., Sch Acad J Biosci, Feb, 2020; 8(2): 30-38 Plate 3: Fibre cells (A, B) and middle lamella (C) at internodes of the G. levis Plate 4: Fibre cells (A, B) and middle lamella (C) at internodes of the G. scortechinii CONCLUSION The anatomical structure of the two bamboos varies significantly. The distribution and the size of the vascular bundle are differences between species. The vascular bundle of the two species shows a similar pattern and are classified under Type III consisting of a single vascular sheath fibre and one fibre strand. But, the vascular bundle size was significantly different between position (nodes and internodes) and location (outer, middle and inner layers). The fibre morphology of each species possesses different measurement in size especially in the length, diameter, lumen diameter and wall thickness. The study identified that there was differences in fiber dimensions on the position between the nodes and internodes, and as well as the location at the outer, middle and inner layer within the same species. The length of the fiber was longer at the internode than the node. The middle layer has the longest fiber length compare to the outer and inner layer. Ultra structures properties of both G. levis and G. scortechinii shows different characteristics than wood. The fiber of both bamboos has a small lumen and thick wall thickness. Wall thickness of wood only has two layers which were S1 and S2, while in bamboo the fiber has more than two layers, which were S1, S2, S3 and Sn. The G. scortechinii fiber has great potential to be a resource of fiber production. 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