PROTECTION OF THE GREEN COLOR OF MOSO BAMBOO (PHYLLOSTACHYS EDULIS) CULMS AND ITS COLORFASTNESS AFTER TREATMENT

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carr.) A. and C. Riv.) culms have a n attractive green colored skin. Once harvested,however, it fades and deteriorates because oi insect pests or decay which reduce its uses an d permanence. To conserve the original green color and enhance its dur ability, it is treated with inorganic salts such as chromates, nickel salts, and copper salts. After these treatments, the color change of t he bamboo skin was evaluated with a color and color difference meter. The results demonstrated that the protection of the green color of mos o bamboo skin was obtained by treating alkali-pretreated bamboo with B oliden K-33, or nickel nitrate, or copper sulfate, individually. When moso bamboo was treated consecutively with nickel nitrate (or copper s ulfate) and then with Boliden K-33, the effectiveness of the green col or protection definitely was improved. The best result was obtained by treating it with a mixed solution of nickel nitrate and copper sulfat e. In addition, based on the results of the durability evaluation, mos o bamboo treated with Boliden K-33 possessed the best green color fast ness and durability against weathering.