Do you know any applications in agriculture of a liquid obtained of
the dry destilation of Bamboo and also known as Bamboo vinegar?

Hi there Kuroyama-ga,

Bamboo vinegar is a byproduct of the production of bamboo charcoal
(which is produced by burning bamboo in order to carbonize it). Bamboo
vinegar has a pH similar to that of acetic acid (i.e., household
vinegar), which is why it was given the name "bamboo vinegar".
Scientific research indicates that it actually contains over 200
ingredients, including glacial acid and at least ten different phenol
groups (http://www.bamboo-products.com.cn/cpjs-zcyy.htm).

It is used for a number of tasks, including, but not limited to:

-An antibacterial agent in agriculture
-A deodorant applied to socks, shoes, etc. (Its slightly acidic nature
makes it toxic to bacteria.)
-Fertilizer for crops
-An insect repellent (it has a smoky, sharp, vinegary smell)
-Food and drink processing (again taking advantage of its
anti-bacterial properties)
-Cosmetics (acetic acid is known to soften skin)
-Water purification in sewage treatment
-Various herbal remedies for gout and sore throats. 

I found a very large number of sources for information about Bamboo
Vinegar on the web, most of them located in Asia and Japan, where the
product is used most often.

Principally, I recommend:

http://www.bamboovinegar.com/bamboo_vinegar.htm

for a good basic introduction to how bamboo vinegar is made, and its
uses.

Some additional resources include:

1. http://www.fustar.com/zt1.html (pictures of bamboo oil and more
discussion of applicability)

2. http://isweb27.infoseek.co.jp/family/b_bamboo/bamboo%20vinegar%20liquid.htm
(information on specific directions for using bamboo vinegar)


I hope that this answers your question.

Regards,
Brandon-ga

---

Request for Answer Clarification by kuroyama-ga on 20 May 2002 05:38 PDT

I would like more scientific data since the information is not
supported by data collected in laboratory.
I would like to know more specific effects in cetain crops.
Thank you

---

Clarification of Answer by brandon-ga on 21 May 2002 23:52 PDT

Kuroyama-ga,

The central repository for most professional quality information on
the uses and effects of bamboo products, including bamboo vinegar on
the net is the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, located at
www.inbar.int.

In particular, this man is associated with the institute, and might be
able to answer your query:


Fu, Jinhe Ph. D.
Program Officer
International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)
Beijing 100101-80, P.R. China
Tel: +86-10-64956961-404 
Fax: +86-10-64956983
Email: jfu@inbar.int 
http://www.inbar.int 
http://www.geocities.com/zhuzi.geo/

The later url is his personal web page, which also contains a wide
range of bamboo-related info.

Also of note, I came across a paper referenced on the web, which
unfortunately is not available in on-line form:

Hasegawa, A., S. Fukai, et al. (2000). Effects of bamboo charcoal and
bamboo vinegar on growth of agricultural plants. Kagawa Daigaku
Nogakubu Gakujutsu Hokoku. [print] March 52(3): 85-90.

http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au/listing/prunusmume.htm

is the web site which references this paper.


I was also able to get a more specific analysis of the constituents of
bamboo vinegar in terms of chemical components:

Bamboo vinegar has 80% water. When it is dehydrated the vinegar
consists of about 80-200 components, or 32% organic acid, 40% phenolic
compound, 3% aldehyde, 5% alkone compound, 5% alcohol compound, 4%
ester compound, and 5% others. (This information is available at
http://www.fao.org/forestry/FOP/FOPW/NWFP/Digest/sent/2-2002.stm#P154_17014)

I hope this helps you with the additional information you have
requested.

Regards,
Brandon-ga

It is very informative, Thank you for the excelent work
Kuroyama