Abstract
This research investigates the factor influencing the quality of the fibre inside the banana pseudostem to determine which layers are suitable for delivering fine banana fibre. This research identifies the banana pseudostem layer-wise properties. Puwalu and Ambun fibres were obtained from the Kurunagala district in Sri Lanka. Banana fibres were separated from pseudostem by using a decorticator machine. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and universal tensile tester machine were used for the testing. The test results showed that the middle layers of the pseudostem to be the finest and strong. The lignin contains in the middle layer of fibre was lower than that of the first layer of fibres. The linear density of the ambun middle layer is 25 tex, the average diameter value is 80 µm and range of single fibre strength is 273–270 gf. Linear density of the puwalu middle layer is 29 tex, the diameter value was varying in between 98 and 100 µm and range of single fibre strength is 270–271 gf. The findings of this research will help anybody to select a suitable layer of Sri Lankan banana cultivars fibres based on physical and chemical properties. Then, these fine fibres can be a bridge over the extensive gap between natural cellulose substitute fibre demand.
Highlights
Sri Lanka cultivates about 56,216 hectares in the banana cultivation sector and produces around 46 million tons of pseudostem waste per year.[1]
Livifile et al.[12] mentioned, the banana fibres of the Southern Highlands of Tanzania revealed a slight variation in the number of pseudostem layers
It is surprising to note that the researcher has not taken the potentially useful step of experimenting the layer separation, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) analysis, linear density, moisture content and oil content properties of banana fibres
Summary
Sri Lanka cultivates about 56,216 hectares in the banana cultivation sector and produces around 46 million tons of pseudostem waste per year.[1] In Sri Lanka, cities such as Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Badulla, Monaragala, Kandy, Gampala and Hambantota have large banana crops that grow all year round. Due to the vastness of the geographically distributed harvest of banana plants, this banana pseudostem has the potential to be employed as a natural fibre to be extracted for the purpose of manufacturing fibres in Sri Lanka.[1]. The pseudo stems of a banana plant is a large perennial herb with leaf sheaths that form the trunk and carry 8–12 leaves that are up to 2.7 m long and 0.6 m wide.[2] When the leaves spread out the stem of the banana is a green, stringy.
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