Innovation in textile has brought alternative plant based fibers such as bamboo into the spotlight and as a replacement to petrochemical based synthetic fibers. Bamboo as a raw material is a remarkably sustainable and versatile resource but the manufacturing process is where the debate really gets heated and the sustainability and green image of bamboo is tarnished. Products made from bamboo are often labeled as ‘eco-friendly’, ‘bio-degradable’ and ‘anti-microbial’ irrespective of their method of manufacturing. The claims may not always portray the products authenticity and true environmental impact. By far, viscose process is predominantly used to create fibers from bamboo but the properties of natural bamboo fibers in such bamboo viscose products have been lost. However, bamboo textiles are not yet achieved their full potential and cleaner production processes are appearing. With abundant sources of raw material, relatively low cost; and unique performance of bamboo fiber it is only a matter of time to develop green and pure bamboo textiles. This paper analyses the prospects of bamboo fibers providing a view on bamboo as a plant and processed fiber, facts regarding the antimicrobial properties of bamboo fibers, its chemical properties, morphology, anatomy, historical overview, patents and modern bamboo textile industry.

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Phytic acid (PA) is considered as an anti‐nutritional factor (ANF) present in cereals and legumes and bind to cationic minerals including iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), thus reducing their bioavailability in both ruminants and nonruminants. The present study was aimed at finding the impact of PA on bioavailability of Fe and Zn. Six rice cultivars with contrasting PA were evaluated for total phosphorus (P), PA, Fe, and Zn in brown and processed rice. A significant correlation of PA of brown rice with PA of milled rice (r = .69) was observed. PA and Zn content were negatively correlated (r = −.55) in brown rice while no significant correlation was found between PA and Zn in milled rice. The rice cultivar Bindli, with lowest PA (0.82 g/100 g) was found to exhibit high Zn bioavailability, while PB267, with highest PA (2.62 g/100 g) showed low Zn and Fe bioavailability. Practical applications Rice is staple food for millions of people, especially the Asians. Fe and Zn are essential micronutrients required for human growth and development, but the rice grain is deficient in Fe and has only moderate amounts of Zn. The bioavailability of these minerals are impaired by PA which chelates and bind cationic minerals in both ruminants and nonruminants. Screening of rice genotypes with low PA and high minerals bioavailability may be suitable for people suffering from micronutrient malnutrition.

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