Pharmaceutical Industry

Bamboo fibers have an excellent characteristic of inhibition of bacterial growth, absorption of peculiar smells, and hygroscopicity. Due to these characteristics, bamboo fibers are used as non-woven medical and hygienic materials (Yi 2004). Flavones can be extracted from bamboo leave fibers by leaching method. These flavones are used in preparation of many drugs (Gang et al. 2000). Chemical con­tents of bamboo fiber are bacteriostatic and bacteriolytic (Zhong-Kai et al. 2005). Eating bamboo fiber reduces the rate of intestinal natural flora and pathogens. This property is applied to produce a bamboo drug for gastrointestinal infections (Anping et al. 2005). Moreover bamboo fibers can also be used for the production of sanitary towels, gauze, bandages, absorbent pads, surgical wear, doctors’ coats, and medical masks. Bamboo fibers have gentle make up, due to this reason only a few people are allergic to bamboo fibers; this property plays a role in production of masks etc. It is light, durable, and inexpensive (Bamboo Groove 2008).