Efficient extraction of technical fibers from hemp in an ethanol-water mixture

Abstract

Traditional extraction of technical fibers from hemp is a water and alkaline intensive process, causing over degumming and loss of fiber strength. Herein, an ethanol-water mixture was developed for efficient extraction of technical fibers from hemp. The color, morphology, and mechanical properties of the technical fibers extracted in the ethanol-water mixture were evaluated and compared with those treated in the traditional water system. The gum materials including lignin, hemicellulose, and pectin could be efficiently removed using the ethanol-water mixture. The strength of the technical fibers could be protected from over degumming in the system with 30% ethanol and 70% water, exhibiting an 11.1% improvement (34.2 cN/Tex). These fibers also showed the lowest yellowness and an average length of 51.7 mm. The developed ethanol-water mixture may provide a novel strategy for the efficient industrial extraction of technical fibers from hemp fibers.