Is Bamboo Antibacterial: The Truth About Bamboo Kun

The bamboo plant is believed to be naturally antibacterial, and many products made of bamboo are touted to inherit this property as well.

• Is there any scientific evidence that bamboo has natural antibacterial properties? 

To help you find the truth about these questions, below are the facts regarding the antimicrobial properties of bamboo.

Let’s get started.

Is Bamboo Antibacterial?

The short answer is yes.

A 2012 study released by the Journal of The Textile Institute proved that an Australian-grown Moso bamboo (phyllostachys pubescens) has natural antibacterial agents located in the plant’s “lignin.”

Lignin is a class of complex organic polymers present in many plants’ cell walls, making them rigid, woody, and rot-resistant.

And in the case of bamboo lignin, they are responsible for protecting the bamboo plant from weather and external harm.

They also act as the storage of bamboo’s antibacterial agents.

Meanwhile, a study in Japan also established that bamboo shoot skins could be utilized as a possible antibacterial material in the future.

The research team determined that extracts from the bamboo shoot skin inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. 

Imagine an antibiotic in the future extracted from bamboo. 

How cool is that?

However, a plant having a natural antibacterial property is not unique to bamboo.

An article in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) claims that plants have an almost limitless ability to synthesize substances.

Many plants can synthesize substances that act as defense mechanisms against microorganisms, pests, insects, and herbivores.

Besides bamboo, other plants also discovered to have natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties include Apple, Chamomile, Clove, Garlic, Hemp, Onion, Turmeric, and more.

What is Bamboo Kun?

The natural antibacterial property of bamboo is commonly referred to as “Kun” or “Bamboo Kun.”

The Bamboo Kun is responsible for bamboo’s natural ability to repel most bacteria, fungi, bugs, and pests.

Bamboo Kun is the reason why bamboo can proliferate in nature even without pesticides and herbicides.

Meanwhile, most industrial crops like cotton and corn require close monitoring, proper maintenance, fertilizers, and pesticides to cultivate.

This is one of the reasons why bamboo is eco-friendly and considered a more sustainable crop.