Abstract
Face-centered composite design (FCC) was used to study the effect of pulping variables: soda concentration (4-5 wt%), temperature (90–130°C), and pulping time (20–60 min) on the properties of pineapple leaf pulp and paper employing soda pulping. Studied pulp responses were screened yield and lignin content (kappa number). Paper properties, which include tensile index, burst index, and tear index, were also investigated. Effects of the pulping variables on the properties were statistically analyzed using Minitab 16. The optimum conditions to obtain the maximum tensile index were soda concentration of 4 wt%, pulping temperature of 105°C, and pulping time of 20 min. The predicted optimum conditions provided tensile index, burst index, tear index, screened yield, and kappa number of 44.13 kN·m/kg, 1.76 kPa·m2, 1.68 N·m2/kg, 21.29 wt%, and 28.12, respectively, and were experimentally confirmed.
Highlights
Nowadays, awareness of environmental issues has increased
The chemical composition of pineapple leaves was close to that found by Treesuwan
The chemical composition of pineapple leaves in this study was different from that indicated by Daud et al [8]: holocellulose (85.7 wt%), lignin (4.2 wt%), and ash (4.5 wt%)
Summary
One of the concerned issues in Thailand is deforestation for pulp and paper production. Nonwood plants residues, which include rice straw [1], bagasse [2], oil palm frond [3], banana stem [4], pineapple crown leaves [5], and sunflower stalks [6], were studied by many researchers. Only pineapple fruit is consumed and the rest are used as household animal feed or left as pineapple plantation compost. The research by Daud et al [8] indicated that pineapple leaves have chemical composition suitable for paper production. Large amount of pineapple leaves left from harvesting times throughout the year are a promising alternative source for paper production. The benefits from using pineapple leaf are waste reduction and forest conservation and value added measures for pineapple leaf itself
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