Physicochemical and Nutritional Characterization of Palmyrah (<em>Borassus flabellifer</em> L.) Pith Waste: A Study to Explore Potential Agricultural and Industrial Applications

Abstract

Purpose: The palmyrah fibre industry generates a large number of wastages during the production process, and the wastages have not been utilized in a proper way. The combustion of those wastages may result in environmental issues. This study aims to analyze the physicochemical properties of palmyrah pith developed from palmyrah fibre production line waste to be utilized in the future for agricultural and industrial applications.Research method: The palmyrah wastages from the fibre production line from all the regional centres in the Jaffna peninsula were collected and washed. The dried waste was ground using a laboratory motor mill and sieved using a laboratory sieve shaker, and the palmyrah fibre pith was packed in a stainless steel container for further analysis.Findings: Palmyra pith exhibited total ash of 15.6 g/100g, total carbon of 48.96 g/100g, and total organic matter of 84.4 g/100g. The nutritional content of the pith was nitrogen 1.90 mg/g, phosphorous 0.015 mg/g, sodium 0.621 mg/g, potasium 0.311 mg/g, calcium 3.196 mg/g, magnesium 1.918 mg/g and iron 0.014 mg/g. Physiochemical properties of the palmyrah pith were determined as pH 5.64, EC 0.586 dS/m, bulk density 0.241 g/cm3, particle density 0.60 g/cm3, total porosity 59.9%, water retention capacity 15%, C: N ratio of 259:1, and moisture content of 12%Originality/Value: This research paves the way for the utilization of palmyrah wastages in agricultural and industrial applications.