Enzymatic Retting: A Revolution in the Handmade Papermaking from Calotropis procera

Abstract

The rapidly changing economic and environmental needs of the society are putting ever-increasing pressure on the forest-based industry “To do more with less.” This means increasing an efficient use of the available fiber resources producing more fiber on a shrinking land base using environmentally friendly processes and technologies and also more use of the nonwoody lignocellulosic fibers for industrial products. Continuously increasing demand and rising cost of traditionally used cellulosic raw materials by handmade paper industry like hosiery waste/cotton rags has forced the industry to look for alternate and locally available nonwoody lignocellulosic raw materials with the application of environmental-friendly processes. As a part of promotion of the green and clean technologies, Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute (KNHPI) focused its research and development activities in the area of identification of alternate lignocellulosic raw materials with integration of biotechnological approach, employing identified microorganisms and/or enzymes suitable for specific applications. Calotropis procera, locally known as ankra, which is available as a wild shrub in the desert area of Rajasthan and Gujarat, has proved one such potential lignocellulosic raw material, finding usefulness for making specialty handmade paper and products. Extensive research carried out at the institute indicated a good possibility of extraction of good quality bast fiber with the application of identified enzymes (bioretting process), making the process easier, productive, and less polluting while improving the yield and quality of the fiber obtained. The initiatives taken at KNHPI for utilization of Calotropis procera in the area of fiber extraction using bioretting process developed at the institute and utilization of the extracted fiber for making handmade paper and products should prove to be a potential employment-generating and income-generating opportunity among the rural masses. Proper utilization of the waste biomass, majority of which is presently utilized as a domestic fuel, could also improve the environmental status besides addressing the problem of global warming.