Banana Fiber Degumming by Alkali Treatment and Ultrasonic Methods

ABSTRACT

This study focused on reducing the burden of air pollution, wastage of banana pseudostems, and adding value to the plant’s products. Alkali pre-treatment and ultrasounds aided in degumming banana fiber to remove wax, lignin, hemicellulose, and other unwanted extractives. The chemical analysis method revealed 72.78% cellulosic content in ultra-sonicated fiber. Ultra-sonication attained an average diameter of 19.36 μm compared to 49.94 μm of alkali pre-treated fiber and 171.87 μm of untreated fiber as observed through the digital optical microscope. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed well-separated fibrils of ultra-sonicated fiber. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) showed de-convoluted peaks of C1s, O1s, and N1s that confirmed lignin removal. Transform Infra-Red (ATR-FTIR) Spectrometer revealed varnishing peak bands of C − O and C═O functional groups between 1600 cm⁻¹ and 1733 cm⁻¹ related to lignin and hemicelluloses. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) showed improved crystallinity up to 63.29%. The single fiber strength testing machine showed optimized breaking strength of 31.12cN/dtex and breakage elongation of 9.38%. The chemical, mechanical and morphological properties showed great promise for high-quality banana fibers.

摘要

.这项研究的重点是减轻空气污染的负担，减少香蕉假茎的浪费, 增加香蕉产品的价值。碱预处理和超声波有助于脱胶香蕉纤维, 以去除蜡, 木质素, 半纤维素和其他不需要的提取物。化学分析表明，经过超声波处理，纤维素含量为72.78%。通过光学显微镜观察，超声波处理的平均直径为19.36 μm，而碱预处理纤维的平均直径为49.94 μm，未处理纤维的平均直径为171.87 μm。扫描电子显微镜 (SEM) 显示超声波处理纤维的原纤维分离良好。X射线光电子能谱 (XPS) 显示C1s，O1s和N1s的解卷积,证实木质素去除。变换红外 (ATR-FTIR) 光谱仪显示在1600cm-1与1733cm-1之间，C−O和C═O官能团的消失,说明了木质素和半纤维素的去除。优选样品的X射线衍射仪 (XRD) 显示结晶度提高到63.29%，断裂强度为31.12cN/dtex，断裂伸长率为9.38%。香蕉纤维的化学、机械和形态特性表明，香蕉纤维具有良好的品质。

KEYWORDS:

• Banana fiber
• degumming
• pre-treatment
• sodium hydroxide
• ultra-sonication
• fibrillation of fibers

关键词:

• 香蕉纤维
• 脱胶
• 预处理
• 氢氧化钠
• 超声波处理
• 纤维原纤化

Acknowledgments

Sincere gratitude is given to the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC), and the Republic of Uganda (Ministry of Education) for the support offered throughout the studies. Thanks to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61675154), Tianjin Science and Technology Program (20YDTPJC01380), Tianjin Natural Science Foundation (18JCYBJC29100), Tianjin Key Research and Development Plan (19YFZCSY00180), Enterprise Entrusted Projects (2019-1200-24-001150), and University Level Innovation Projects (202010058122) for our work’s support. Warm appreciation to Dr. John Michael Tesha, who offered professional research writing insight and analysis ideas.

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant [61675154]; Tianjin Science and Technology Program under grant [20YDTPJC01380]; Tianjin Natural Science Foundation under grant [18JCYBJC29100]; Tianjin Key Research and Development Plan under grant [19YFZCSY00180]; Enterprise Entrusted Projects under grant [2019-1200-24-001150]; University Level Innovation Projects under grant [202010058122].