Characterization of Fibers from Culms and Leaves of Arundo donax L. (Poaceae) for Handmade Paper Production

ABSTRACT

The production of handmade paper is a sustainable process that has a relevant social and economic function, especially in developing countries. In the search for alternative, renewable and low-cost sources for cellulose and handmade paper production, we evaluated the morphological characteristics and chemical composition of fibers of leaves and culms from Arundo donax, a fast-growing invasive grass that was introduced in several countries, including Brazil. The fibers of A. donax are long (leaf = 1.73 mm; culm = 1.26 mm), with thick cell walls (leaf = 4.97 µm; culm = 5.36 µm), which provide folding endurance and result in a rougher and more voluminous paper. Additionally, the high values of cell wall fraction (leaf = 78%; culm = 82%) indicate great fiber stiffness. The relatively high values of cellulose (leaf = 38.9%; culm = 39.4%) and low values of lignin (leaf = 12.1%; culm = 13.0%) in the fibers make its use in paper production advantageous, as it reduces costs with chemical products in pulping. Fibers from A. donax are a viable alternative material to produce cellulose and handmade paper or can be mixed with other raw materials to produce different types of paper.

摘要

手工纸的生产是一个可持续的过程,具有相关的社会和经济功能,尤其是在发展中国家. 为了寻找纤维素和手工造纸的替代、可再生和低成本来源,我们评估了Arundo donax(一种生长迅速的侵入性草)叶片和茎秆纤维的形态特征和化学成分,该草已在包括巴西在内的多个国家引入. 多纳滨藜的纤维长(叶 = 1.73毫米;秆 = 1.26毫米),细胞壁厚(叶 = 4.97 µm;秆 = 5.36 µm),具有耐折叠性,因此纸张更粗糙、更厚. 此外,细胞壁比例的高值(叶 = 78%;秆 = 82%)表明纤维硬度大. 纤维中相对较高的纤维素(叶 = 38.9%;秆 = 39.4%)和较低的木质素(叶 = 12.1%;秆 = 13.0%)使其在造纸中的应用具有优势,因为它降低了制浆过程中的化学产品成本. A.donax的纤维是生产纤维素和手工纸的可行替代材料,也可以与其他原材料混合生产不同类型的纸.

KEYWORDS:

• Giant red
• cellulosic fibers
• non-wood fibers
• morphological properties of fibers

关键词:

• 巨红
• 纤维素纤维
• 非木材纤维
• 纤维的形态特征

Author contributions

LGOG, THR and JCG conceived and designed the study. LGOG and CSF performed the experiments and collected the data. LGOG, THG, CSF and ACF analyzed, interpreted the data, and wrote the first draft. All authors discussed the results and contributed comments to the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Table

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2022.2076005

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Distrito Federal (FAPDF; grants 193.000.195/2014; 0193.001248/2016), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq; grant 311362/2019-2), Laboratório de Papel Artesanal do Instituto de Artes - LAPA/UnB, Laboratório de Tecnologia da Madeira da UnB.