Extraction and Characterization of Lignocellulosic Fibers from Girardinia Bullosa (Steudel) Wedd. (Ethiopian Kusha Plant)

ABSTRACT

Currently, eco-friendly products have been given great attention as the world is being polluted severely by non-biodegradable products and by-products. Different textile products have their own share in affecting the environment. This research is focused on exploring alternative bast fiber products to support the supply chain and to assess the possibility of using this fiber as a substitute to already available bast fibers. Kusha fiber was extracted and optimized from Ethiopian kusha plant stem – Girardinia bullosa (Steudel) wedd. – using caustic soda solution by varying the concentration, temperature, and time using design expert 6.0.10, quadratic model software. Tensile property, chemical composition, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fiber morphology, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the fiber were determined. Fiber characterization showed its tensile strength, and the cellulose content was equivalent to or even better than other bast fibers. Morphology of the fiber was similar to that of typical cotton with visible lumen and a slightly flat surface. Therefore, this new extracted fiber has a great potential to be used for different applications such as fiber-reinforced composites, textile furnishing, apparel, and nanocellulose extraction.

摘要

目前，非生物降解产品和副产品严重污染世界，生态友好产品受到高度重视。不同的纺织产品通过影响生物降解性较差的环境而具有各自的份额。本研究旨在探讨替代性韧皮纤维产品以支持供应链，并评估该纤维替代现有韧皮纤维的可能性。利用设计专家6.0.10，二次模型软件，采用苛性钠溶液通过改变浓度、温度和时间，从埃塞俄比亚库沙植物茎、大疱贾拉第虫Girardinia bullosa（斯图德尔）韦德茎中提取并优化了库沙纤维。测定了纤维的拉伸性能、化学组成、XRD、FTIR、纤维形态和TGA。纤维表征表明其拉伸强度和纤维素含量与其它韧皮纤维相当或甚至更好。纤维的形态与典型的棉纤维相似，具有可见的管腔和略微平的表面。因此，这种新型的提取纤维在纤维增强复合材料、纺织装饰、服装和纳米纤维素提取等领域具有广阔的应用前景。

KEYWORDS:

• Girardinia bullosa (Steudel) wedd
• Ethiopian kusha plant
• fiber extraction
• bast fiber

关键词:

• （斯图德尔）韦德
• 埃塞俄比亚库沙植物
• 纤维提取
• 韧皮纤维

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to express their unreserved gratitude to the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), India, for providing all research facilities and technical support and the Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute (ETIDI), Ethiopia, for the financial support for this research to be conducted.