Banana Trunk Research Articles

Microwave-Alkaline Assisted Pretreatment of Banana Trunk for Bioethanol Production

Microwave-Alkaline Assisted Pretreatment of Banana Trunk for Bioethanol Production

A review of the omicrine genera Omicrogiton, Mircogioton and Peratogonus of China (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Sphaeridiinae).

The Chinese species of the genera Omicrogiton Orchymont, 1919, Peratogonus Sharp, 1884 and Mircogioton Orchymont, 1937 are reviewed, diagnosed and keyed. Mircogioton and Omicrogiton are reported for the first time from China, Peratogonus for the first time for mainland China. Five species are recognized: Omicrogiton coomani Balfour-Browne, 1939 (Guangdong, Hongkong), Omicrogiton hainanensis sp. n. (Hainan), Omicrogiton roberti sp. n. (Hainan), Mircogioton coomani Orchymont, 1937 (Yunnan), and Peratogonus reversus Sharp, 1884 (Guangdong, Jiangxi, Taiwan). Lectotype of Omicrogiton coomani is designated. Mircogioton cognitus (Malcolm, 1981), syn. n. is considered a junior subjective synonym of Mircogioton coomani Orchymont, 1939. Species of Mircogioton and Omicrogiton inhabit decaying banana trunks, whereas Peratogonus reversus was always collected from moist forest leaf litter.

Banana Trunk as Green Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in Subsea Applications

Corrosion is a serious problem in every industry and can cause losses in production leading to large financial losses. International legisation body has drawn offshore chemical into several categoris based on biodegradation, bioaccumulation and toxicity. Otherwise, the inhibitor is not accept to be used as they are harmful to environment. Therefore, most industries are looking for green inhibitor for An electrochemical test has been carried out to determine the corrosion rate of carbon steel. This research aimed to investigate the potential corrosion of carbon steel in seven different immersion periods ( 1 day, 2 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days , 28 days, 35 days) using seawater 3.5 % NaCl. The pH values were set in neutral in static condition. The materials were run for tafel polarization with a scan rate of 0.5mV/sec. Each sample will be tested when achieve a predetermined time. This experiment was carried out to compare the corrosion rate of 3.5% NaCl and with NaCl added 25% inhibitor. Inhibitors used were from banana trunk. The experiments were carried out at four different temperatures (5°C, 10°C, 20°C and 30°C). Before and after testing, the microstructures of each sample were observed by using Optical Microscope (OM). The results show the highest corrosion rate occurring in the shortest period of immersion for 1 day. However, the corrosion rate decreases when the longer period of immersion. The corrosion rate for 3.5% NaCl will increase with added 25% inhibitor and decrease for 3.5% NaCl when temperature decreases.

Influence of Banana Fibre Chemical Modification on the Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Woven Banana Fabric/Unsaturated Polyester Resin Composites

Natural fibres used as reinforcing materials in polymer matrix composites provide positive environmental benefits with respect to ultimate disposability and best utilization of raw materials. Banana fibre is waste from banana trunks or stems which are abundant in many places in the world. To benefit the environment, agricultural industry as well as other industries, there is a need for development of new usage of agricultural waste. Natural fabric based green composites were prepared by hand lay-up technique with natural woven banana fabric (WBF) and Isophthalic acid based unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) as matrix. The mechanical, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and morphological properties of these green composites were investigated. The WBF were treated with 6% aqueous solution of NaOH. Untreated and NaOH treated fabric surfaces were analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies was carried out to evaluate fabric/matrix interactions. Thermogravimetric analysis of the samples indicated better thermal properties of the alkali treated fibres. The improved fabric–matrix interaction is evident from the enhanced tensile and flexural properties. Reduction in water absorption of alkali treated WBF/UPR composite was observed. The results proved that appropriate alkali treatment of banana fabric improved interfacial adhesion, and in turn mechanical and water absorption properties of the green composite made in this study.

ANALISIS UJI PENYERAPAN AIR DAN STRUKTUR MIKRO KOMPOSIT LAMINATE HYBRID SERAT SISAL DAN BATANG PISANG DENGAN MATRIK EPOXY

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze about absorption properties of the composite laminate, microstructure hybrid sisal and banana fiber with epoxy matrix. Composite manufacturing was done by hand lay-up method with a ratio of fiber volume fraction of sisal and banana trunks 0:40, 10:30, 15:25, 20:20, 30:10, 40:0 (%) With direction of sisalana agave fiber orientation and banana fiber by fiber length according to the mold. Specimen testing was done by the water absorption test with the standard ASTM D571-8,. Test results obtained from the average water absorption properties of composites with the highest ratio of fiber volume fraction of 40%: 0% is 42.4% while the lowest average water absorption properties contained in the composite with fiber volume fraction of 0%: 40%, with percentage of 11.5%. Therefore we can conclude the increasing volume fraction of sisal fiber withidirection of fiber orientation, the lower of water absorption properties and conversely increasing the volume of woven banana fiber orientation, the higher of water absorptionproperties.

COMPUTER-ASSISTED ANALYSIS OF FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED (FTIR) SPECTRA FOR CHARACTERIZATION OF VARIOUS TREATED AND UNTREATED AGRICULTURE BIOMASS

A computational approach was used to analyze the FTIR spectra of a wide range of treated and untreated lignocellulosic biomass (coconut husk, banana trunk, sago hampas, rice husk, and empty fruit bunch). The biomass was treated with strong sulphuric acid and NaOH, respectively. A total of 87 spectra were obtained in which the absorption bands were de-convoluted automatically, generating a peak table of 87 rows and 60 columns. Square roots were taken of the peak values, with further standardization prior to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for data exploration. In a scores plot, the treated and untreated biomass were distinguishable along the two main axes, PC1 and PC2. Examining the absorption bands corresponding to lignocellulosic components indicated that the acid pretreatment had resulted in dissolution and degradation of hemicelluloses and lignin, confirmed typically by disappearance of bands. The alkali treatment however was not as rigorous as the acid treatment, as some characteristic bands of hemicelluloses and lignin were enhanced, suggesting condensation of the degraded polysaccharides. The computer-assisted analysis of the FTIR spectra allowed efficient and simultaneous comparisons of lignocellulosic compositions present in various treated and untreated biomass. This represents an improvement relative to the conventional methods, since a large dataset can be handled efficiently and individual peaks can be examined.

Determination of the characteristics of plant exudates from selected tropical trees and unripe fruits

Exudates were obtained from the African pear and mango trees and also from unripe plantain and banana fruit bunches, and their keeping and functional properties as industrial raw materials were determined. Exudation from the trees was carried out by making an incision on the tree bark, while those from the unripe fruit were collected from the cutting made to severe the bunch from the stock during harvesting. Results obtained showed a yield of 20.8 and 18.6 g/tree of African pear and mango respectively after 24 h of tapping and 8.6 and 10.2 ml/kg for plantain and banana per bunch, respectively. The yield of exudates from the plantain and banana trunks was 158.5 and 120.2 ml/tree,respectively. Other results were pH: African pear, 5.35; mango, 6.05; plantain, 4.93 and banana, 6.44; phenol contents: African pear, 15.67 mg/kg; mango, 15.97 mg/kg;plantain, 12.54 mg/kg and banana, 9.40 mg/kg; tannin content: African pear, 0.32%;mango, 0.28%; plantain, 0.32%, and banana, 0.46%. The exudates were soluble in polar solvent and sparingly soluble in organic and non polar solvents and all of them had a good amount of cations for cell growth present such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium. They can also be preserved using well known food preservatives. From the results, it was deduced that the exudates may become raw materials for pharmaceutical and paint industries if the machinery for their collection and preservation are established. Key words: Characterization, exudates, tropical trees, unripe fruits.

Thermal properties of modified banana trunk fibers

Thermal decomposition of an agrowaste, namely banana trunk fibers (BTF) were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) up to 900 °C at different heating rates (from 5 to 100 °C/min). The BTF was subjected to modification by means of various known chemical methods (mercerization, acetylation, peroxide treatment, esterification, and sulfuric acid treatment). Various degradation models, such as the Kissinger, Friedman, and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa were used to determine the apparent activation energy. The obtained apparent activation energy values (149–210 kJ/mol) allow in developing a simplified approach to understand the thermal decomposition behavior of natural fibers as a function of polymer composite processing.

Optimisation of Graft Copolymerisation of Fibres from Banana Trunk

Sheets from banana trunks were opened out and dried for several weeks in air. Pulp was obtained by the nitric acid process with a yield of 37.7% while fibres were obtained according to the modified standard Japanese method for cellulose in wood for pulp (JIS 8007) with a yield of 65% with respect to oven dried plant material. Single fibre obtained by the JIS method had an average diameter of 11.0 μm and Young′s modulus, tensile strength and strain at break‐off 7.05 GPa, 81.7 MPa and 5.2% respectively. Modification of the fibres was carried out by grafting ethyl acrylate in the presence of ammonium nitrate cerium(IV). Optimisation of the copolymerisation reaction conditions was studied by measuring the rate of conversion, the rate of grafting and the grafting efficiency. The results showed that at low values of ceric ion concentration (0.04 M), at ambient temperature, after three hours and at a concentration of 0.2 M ethyl acrylate, maximum values of the parameters cited were obtained.

The Preparation and Characterization of Esterified Banana Trunk Fibers/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Blend Film

Polymer composite using natural fiber as reinforcement material is getting attention due to easy availability and its low cost. In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/fatty acid esterified banana trunk fibers (FAGBTF) of various compositions were produced by a solution casting method. The characteristic properties of PVA/ FAGBTF composite films were examined by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile tests. On the whole, the increase in the amount of BTF in the composite systems improved the thermal properties and decreased percentage degree of swelling as compared to pure PVA.

BANANA TRUNK FIBERS AS AN EFFICIENT BIOSORBENT FOR THE REMOVAL OF Cd(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) AND Zn(II) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

ABSTRACT The biosorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions by an agrowaste, namely banana trunk fibers (BTF), was investigated. The effect of pH, contact time, metal ions concentration, adsorbent dose and change in [M 2+ ]/biomass were studied at ambient temperature (25 o C). The equilibrium process was described well by the Freundlich isotherm model with adsorption capacity, K f of 8.49, 2.68, 6.58 and 1.74 mg/g for Cd(II), Cu(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II), respectively. Kinetic studies showed good correlation coefficients for a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The BTF were subjected to different chemical modification methods (mercerization, acetylation, formaldehyde treatment, peroxide treatment, stearic acid treatment and sulphuric acid treatment) and the adsorption capacity (q e ) of each modified BTF for the metal ions was obtained. Our findings hitherto reveal that the q e values are practically similar to that of the unmodified BTF confirming that the latter by its nature, that is its chemical composition, is already an efficient biosorbent for the removal of the heavy metal ions.

Adsorption Kinetics and Capacity of Fatty Acid-Modified Banana Trunk Fibers for Oil in Water

Oil spill leaves detrimental effects to environment, living organisms, and economy. As such, it is of considerable interest to find an effective, simple, and inexpensive method to treat this calamity. This work reports the use of banana trunk fibers (BTF) modified with oleic acid, stearic acid, castor oil, and palm oil for oil spill recovery. The maximum sorption capacity, effect of oil to water ratio, effect of light oil fractions, and effect of dissolved organic compounds in weathered oil-contaminated seawater were studied. It is found that BTF treated with oleic acid exhibited the best sorption capacity for engine oil, dissolved organic compounds in weathered oil, and light oil fractions. The equilibrium process was described well by the Freundlich isotherm model, and the kinetic studies show good correlation coefficients for a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

Potential of Jamaican banana, coconut coir and bagasse fibres as composite materials

This paper presents an evaluation of the alternative use of three Jamaican natural cellulosic fibres for the design and manufacturing of composite materials. The natural cellulosic fibres under investigation were bagasse from sugar cane (saccharum officinarum), banana trunk from the banana plant (family Musacae, genus Musa X para disiaca L), and coconut coir 1 1 Coir – a stiff, coarse fibre from the outer husk of a coconut. from the coconut husk (family Palm, genus coco nucifera). Fibre samples were subjected to standardized characterization tests such as ash and carbon content, water absorption, moisture content, tensile strength, elemental analysis and chemical analysis. The banana fibre exhibited the highest ash, carbon and cellulose content, hardness and tensile strength, while coconut the highest lignin content.

Chemically and Thermally Treated Vegetable Fibers for Reinforcement of Cement-Based Composites

This paper presents the effects of chemical and thermal treatments on the strength of vegetable fibers that were being considered as reinforcements in cementitious matrix composites for affordable housing. These include vegetable fibers extracted from banana trunks and sugar cane residues. The results suggested that pyrolysis increased the fiber strength, at least by a factor three. Acid attack generally degraded the strengths, while alkali attack had only a limited effect. Pyrolyzed banana leaves, coconut coir, and coconut sheaths fibers were also tested. The implications of the results were discussed for the development of strong cementitious matrix composites.

Enhancement of Hydrocarbon Removal in a Clay and Drilling-Waste Polluted Soil

The application of biological processes in restoring oil polluted sites is growing due to their efficiency in removing different classes of pollutants. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of microorganisms present in a drilling-waste polluted soil (36,200 mg TPH kg−1 soil) to remove weathered hydrocarbons under stimulated and non-stimulated soil conditions. The hypothesis under study was whether petroleum hydrocarbons removal could be enhanced by manipulating C/N ratio, water content and addition of three agroindustrial wastes. A Box-Behnken design was employed to evaluate the effect of each variable. Results demonstrated that, for orange peels and banana trunk treatments, the variable with the largest effect (p < 0.01) on hydrocarbon removal was the C/N ratio, indicating that higher ratio (100/3) improved removal (79.5–82%). The largest effect (p < 0.001) on hydrocarbon removal for pineapple wastes was observed with higher water content (60%) achieving the highest removal (89%). After 90 days of experimentation, the type of agricultural waste and the agricultural waste/soil ratio were not statistically significant in any treatment. However, their addition was important relative to non-stimulated soil, which showed a hydrocarbon removal of 17%. Data reported in this study showed the application of bioremediation in clay and drilling waste-polluted soils.

The effect of feeding mixtures of banana trunk and soybean meal on lambs performance

This study was intended to determine the effects of increasing the ratio of banana trunk to soybean meal on intake, nitrogen excretion and lambs performance. Sixteen lambs (averaging 21.21 + 1.69 kg) were pen individually and fed a basal diet consisted of chopped fresh king grass and commercial concentrate and unlimited access of water. Lambs were randomly assigned to one out of four different ratio of banana trunk to soybean meal as feed supplements, i.e. (R0) 0:1; (R1) 1:1; (R2) 2:1 and (R3) 4:1. Results showed that the inclusion of banana trunk had no adverse effect on lambs performance. As it is expected, altering the ratio of banana trunk to soybean meal increased (P 0.05) by feed supplement. Despite of no difference was observed in the coefficient of nitrogen digestibility, apparent fecal and urine N-output were significantly (P < 0.05) affected. The highest ratio of fed supplement (R3) tended to decrease nitrogen retention. Overall data indicated that lambs offered basal diet supplemented with R2 treatment accumulated more N per-day, than those fed other treatments, and consequently lambs performance was the best on those fed R2 treatment. Key words : Banana trunk, protected protein, lambs

Rat control by trapping in deepwater rice

Studies conducted at the deepwater rice research site of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute during 1989–1992 revealed that bandicoot rats in flooded deepwater rice (DWR) fields can be controlled effectively by the use of live traps. Intensive trapping during the flooding period significantly reduced damage to elongating stems and grain yield. Live traps were found to be superior to snap traps. Traps need to be placed on a float. Trap floats served as roosts for the exhausted rats that swam from the raised areas to the flooded rice fields. Floats made of banana trunk (after fruit harvest) were inexpensive and lasted for 2–3 weeks. Fresh snail flesh or paddy grains were effective trap baits. Field monitoring is an essential part of the trapping programme. The programme should be Initiated at the beginning of stem cutting in the field and continue until its cessation. Collective effort may be useful but not essential, when a DWR field is attacked an individual farmer can adopt the method to control rats.

Pharmacological study of the muscle paralyzing activity of the juice of the banana trunk

M. A. Benitez, E. Navarro, M. Feria, J. Trujillo and J. Boada. Pharmacological study of the muscle paralyzing activity of the juice of the banana trunk. Toxicon 29, 511–515, 1991.—Extracts of the juice of the banana trunk were assayed in the isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparation of the rat. The chemical composition of those producing muscular paralysis was then studied. As active extracts mainly consisted of monopotassium oxalate, the effect of this compound on the muscle preparation was investigated and compared with that of the active extracts. The pattern of muscular paralysis induced by monopotassium oxalate was the same as that seen with the juice extracts. Likewise inhibition of contractions of the tibialis muscle was observed in vivo after intra-arterial administration of both the crude concentrate of the juice and monopotassium oxalate. These findings suggest that monopotassium oxalate could be responsible for the muscular paralysis caused by the juice of banana trunk.

Experiments with banana trunk juice as a neuromuscular blocker.

The juice of the banana trunk produces a non-depolarising neuromuscular block. Oxygenation of the extract enhances its potency. Reversals with anticholinesterases are transient. Partial reversals in isolated preparations indicate these could be both specific and non-specific binding which could account for blockade after washing. It could be specifically bound to ACh receptors in an irreversible way since its action appears similar to that of alpha-BuTX.

Fungicide-Derived Copper Content in Soil and Vegetation Component, Owena Cocoa (&lt;i&gt;Theobroma Cacao&lt;/i&gt; L.) Plantations in Nigeria

This work reported the results of copper content in the soil profiles of three different aged cocoa plantations subjected to copper- fungicide application and the various vegetational components (pod, beans, leaves, trunk bark, lateral root and twig). Soil copper at various depth considered ranged from 5.0 -42.0 μgg-1. Copper contents in both fresh and dry leaves of cocoa and banana were consistently high in all the three plantations. The copper contents ranged from 56-300μgg-1 (dry wt.) in cocoa trunk bark and 86-161μgg-1 in banana trunk bark. There was evidence of age-dependent accumulation of copper in cocoa pod and beans; hence it can be used to assess the degree of copper contamination. Copper contents from roots ranged from 408-2, 203μgg-1 (dry wt.). The soil did not appear contaminated by copper but alternative fungicide is recommended since copper accumulation in the cocoa beans was evident.&#x0D; &#x0D; Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 41(3-4), 129-140, 2006