Stem Fiber Research Articles

Effect of nitrogen application rate and harvesting stage on yield and agronomic parameters of industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)

AbstractHemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is one of the world's oldest and most diversely cultivated plants, but legal constraints and a lack of agronomic rules have curtailed its production. This study aimed to determine the optimum nitrogen (N) application rate and harvesting stage for hemp yield in terms of seed, fiber, and stem. Treatments included (1) five nitrogen application rates (control [N0], 60 kg ha−1 [N60], 120 kg ha−1 [N120], 180 kg ha−1 [N180], and 240 kg ha−1 [N240]) and (2) three harvesting stages: before flowering (HS1), during flowering (HS2), and at the end of flowering (HS3). A 2‐year field experiment was conducted with three replicates. Harvest stages were randomly distributed over N rates in both years. The following agronomic parameters were evaluated: plant height, stem diameter (lower, middle, upper), number of leaves/plant, leaflet width, leaflet length, dry stem yield, fiber yield, and seed yield. The highest stem yield and fiber yield were obtained in the 240 kg ha−1 N treatment, and also the highest fiber (bast) yield and dry stem (hurd fiber) were obtained flowering and at the end of the flowering stages, respectively. When nitrogen application rate was increased from 0 to 240 kg ha−1, plant height, stem, and fiber yields increased by 48%, 65% and 57%, respectively. Agronomic parameters increased significantly (p < 0.01) when the harvesting time was moved from “before flowering” to “at the end of flowering.”

Synthesis of highly self-dual-doped O, P carbon nanosheets derived from banana stem fiber for high-performance supercapacitor electrode

ABSTRACT In the present study, the development of a supercapacitor electrode using activated carbon (AC) derived from natural banana stem fiber (BSF) was presented. To enhance AC-BSF performance, nanosheets with favorable pore structures were incorporated, enriched with O and P doping. The production process involved crushing and heating BSF particles at high temperatures, with the addition of 0.5 M KOH as a reaction agent and developer of porous carbon structures with high density. The physical properties of AC-BSF were determined through density calculations, which revealed a shrinkage up to 34%. The material exhibited amorphous properties characterized by gentle peaks at diffraction angles (2θ) of 23.06–25.01° and 44.63–46.07°. The wettability of AC-BSF was attributed to the presence of O-H functional groups, micro-mesopores structure was confirmed by the type IV isotherm curve. AC-BSF-H2SO4 showed the highest specific capacitance value of 206.76 F/g. The increase in the performance of the AC-BSF electrode could primarily be attributed to its dual doping with O (24.15%) and P (4.37%) as well as the contribution of pseudocapacitance. These findings show the significant potential of O and P-doped multi-heteroatom carbon nanosheets derived from banana stem fibers in advancing new strategies for the development of high-energy-density and high-power supercapacitor materials.

The development of composite reinforced hybrid fiber musa acuminata stem-hibiscus tiliaceust bark with filler liquid rubber as vehicle bumper

The characterized of the polyester composites reinforced of the hybrid fiber musa acuminata stem fiber (MASF)-hibiscus tiliaceust bark fiber (HTBF) with liquid rubber filler was studied. The object of research is the polyester composite material, hybrid natural fiber reinforcement and filler Carboxyl Terminated Butadiene Acrylonitryle (CTBN). The polyester composite material which is used as a vehicle bumper, is easily broken and has low heat resistance so that its shape easily changes/shrinks due to heat. This research aims to develop the tensile strength, impact toughness and heat resistance of polyester composites. The reason for using the MASF-HTBF hybrid fiber as a reinforcement for polyester composite materials is because MASF and HTBF are natural fibers that have great potential to be developed to improve the mechanical properties of polyester composites, as substitutes for synthetic fibers. In this study, the conditions of MASF and HTBF were given alkaline treatment by immersing them in 5 % NaOH solution for 24 hours then drying. The combined/hybrid ratio between the MASF and CTBF volume fractions is: 5 %:25 %, 10 %:20 % and 15 %:15 %. To increase impact toughness, CTBN filler is added with variations of 5 %, 10 %. The mechanical characteristics of the specimens were carried out by means of a tensile test and an impact test. The change in mass or shrinkage as a result is tested by TGA. The results showed that the MASF-HTBF hybrid fiber-reinforced polyester composite material with CTBN filler has better mechanical properties than single natural fibers, so it is important to develop it further as a material for making vehicle bumper

Characterization of a new natural novel lignocellulose fiber resource from the stem of Cyperus platystylis R.Br.

This study deals with the characterization of a natural fiber which is extracted from the stem of an unexplored plant of Cyperus platystylis R.Br. (CPS) with an aim to establish it as a potent alternative fiber for the plant fiber-based industries. CPS fiber has been investigated for its physical, chemical, thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics. The presence of different functional groups in CPS fiber i.e., cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin which was ensured by Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) Spectrophotometer analysis. X-ray diffraction and chemical constituent analysis revealed high cellulose content and crystallinity i.e., 66.1% and 41.12% respectively, which is comparatively moderate in the case of CPS fiber. Scherrer's equation has been used to determine crystallite size i.e., 2.28 nm. The mean length and diameter of the CPS fiber were 382.0 and 23.36 μm, respectively. The maximum tensile strength was obtained at 657 ± 58.8 MPa for 50 mm fiber and young’s modulus 88.76 ± 30.42 MPa for 50 mm fiber. The required energy to break has been recorded at 346.16 J. Thermal analysis revealed that CPS fibers have thermal stability up to 279 °C. The unique Cyperus platystylis stem fibers could therefore be a suitable reinforcement material for the bio-composites used in semi-structural applications since they have higher functional qualities.

Optimized isolation and characterization of cellulose for extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from Ensete ventricosum pseudo-stem fibre using a two-stage extraction method

Alkali treatment followed by alkalinized hydrogen peroxide delignification yielded 73.90% cellulose from Ensete ventricosum pseudo stem fibre, with parameters optimized using response surface methodology. The optimal reaction parameters were 157 min, 73 °C, and 3.8% NaOH concentration. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the thermal properties, crystal structure, chemical structure, and morphological structure of isolated cellulose (SEM). Based on the findings, cellulose has a rod-like shape. The XRD results revealed that the crystallinity index of cellulose increased from 65 to 75% when compared with raw E. ventricosum pseudo stem fibre (Ensete fibre). The resultant cellulose demonstrated relatively higher thermal stability than the unprocessed ensete fibre, according to the thermogravimetric examination. When compared to raw ensete fibre, FTIR analysis revealed that cellulose had a modified chemical functional structure, which suggested that alkali and alkalized hydrogen peroxide treatments had altered the chemical structure of cellulose. As a result of the isolated cellulose’s high yield, high crystallinity index, good thermal stability, and morphological structure, cellulose nanocrystals can be extracted.

Diversity of Linum genetic resources in global genebanks: from agro-morphological characterisation to novel genomic technologies - a review.

Linseed or flaxseed is a well-recognized nutritional food with nutraceutical properties owing to high omega-3 fatty acid (α-Linolenic acid), dietary fiber, quality protein, and lignan content. Currently, linseed enjoys the status of a 'superfood' and its integration in the food chain as a functional food is evolving continuously as seed constituents are associated with lowering the risk of chronic ailments, such as heart diseases, cancer, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. This crop also receives much attention in the handloom and textile sectors as the world's coolest fabric linen is made up of its stem fibers which are endowed with unique qualities such as luster, tensile strength, density, bio-degradability, and non-hazardous nature. Worldwide, major linseed growing areas are facing erratic rainfall and temperature patterns affecting flax yield, quality, and response to biotic stresses. Amid such changing climatic regimes and associated future threats, diverse linseed genetic resources would be crucial for developing cultivars with a broad genetic base for sustainable production. Furthermore, linseed is grown across the world in varied agro-climatic conditions; therefore it is vital to develop niche-specific cultivars to cater to diverse needs and keep pace with rising demands globally. Linseed genetic diversity conserved in global genebanks in the form of germplasm collection from natural diversity rich areas is expected to harbor genetic variants and thus form crucial resources for breeding tailored crops to specific culinary and industrial uses. Global genebank collections thus potentially play an important role in supporting sustainable agriculture and food security. Currently, approximately 61,000 germplasm accessions of linseed including 1,127 wild accessions are conserved in genebanks/institutes worldwide. This review analyzes the current status of Linum genetic resources in global genebanks, evaluation for agro-morphological traits, stress tolerance, and nutritional profiling to promote their effective use for sustainable production and nutrition enhancement in our modern diets.

(2964) Proposal to conserve the name Boehmeria puya (Maoutia puya, Leucosyke puya) (Urticaceae) with a conserved type

(2964) Proposal to conserve the name <i>Boehmeria puya</i> (<i>Maoutia puya</i>, <i>Leucosyke puya</i>) (<i>Urticaceae</i>) with a conserved type

Mechanical and structural properties of polyester hybrid composites reinforced with stem fiber particulates

Mechanical and structural properties of polyester hybrid composites reinforced with stem fiber particulates

Revolutionizing Polymer Composites: Boosting Mechanical Strength, Thermal Stability, Water Resistance, and Sound Absorption of Cissus Quadrangularis Stem Fibers with Nano Silica

Revolutionizing Polymer Composites: Boosting Mechanical Strength, Thermal Stability, Water Resistance, and Sound Absorption of Cissus Quadrangularis Stem Fibers with Nano Silica

Bioinformatics Analysis of WRKY Family Genes in Flax (Linum usitatissimum).

WRKY gene family is one of the largest transcription factor families involved in various physiological processes of plants. Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is an important stem fiber crop, and it is also an economically important crop in natural fiber and textile industries around the world. In this study, 105 WRKY genes were obtained by screening the whole genome of flax. There were 26 in group I, 68 in group II, 8 in group III and 3 in group UN. The characteristics of the WRKY motif and gene structure in each group are similar. The promoter sequence of WRKY genes includes photoresponsive elements, core regulatory elements and 12 cis-acting elements under abiotic stress. Similar to A. thaliana and Compositae plants, WRKY genes are evenly distributed on each chromosome, with segmental and tandem repeated events, which play a major role in the evolution of WRKY genes. The flax WRKY gene family is mainly concentrated in group I and group II. This study is mainly based on genome-wide information to classify and analyze the flax WRKY gene family, laying a foundation for further understanding the role of WRKY transcription factors in species evolution and functional analysis.

Drilling of banana stem fibers and polyurethane derived from castor oil composite

Natural fibers composites obtained from waste of agricultural processes appear as an alternative to materials from non-renewable sources. Drilling these composites is challenging due to the non-homogeneous structure and behavior of the natural fibers and the polymeric matrix. This work uses different drill types and machining parameters to investigate the drilling process in a composite with banana stem fibers and polyurethane derived from castor oil. Hole damages, thrust force, torque and chip morphology were evaluated. The best results were found using a twist drill at 19 m/min cutting speed and 0.1 mm/rev feed rate. Drill type was the main factor in generating damage in the holes, while torque and thrust force were less influential.

MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF FERROCEMENT LIGHTWEIGHT BANANA FIBRE CONCRETE UNDER UNIAXIAL BENDING

To obtain lightweight and environmentally friendly building materials that can be produced quickly at low cost, among others, can be obtained through the use of natural fiber based ferrocement concrete technology. The use of light weight building materials combined with natural fibers to form structural components is intended to reduce the weight of the building mass but also to protect the environment and benefit banana farmers' income. Ferrocement lightweight concrete (FLWC) can be obtained by partially substituting fine aggregate with pumice sand and by adding banana stem fiber to form a ferrocement lightweight fiber concrete (FLWFC) composition. Compressive and tensile tests on ferrocement lightweight concrete and ferrocement light fiber concrete were carried out at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, respectively. The test results showed that the optimal composition of FLWC and FLWFC occurred in the substitution of pumice sand by 40% and banana stem fibers with a length of 3 cm by 0.05% of the weight of cement and obtained a concrete mass density of 1437 kg. The compressive strength and tensile strength of FLWC without fiber at 28 days were 8.4 MPa and 2.15 MPa respectively, while FLWC with fiber added increased by about 6%, namely 8.9 MPa for compressive strength and 83% for tensile strength is 3.94 MPa. Flexural tensile strength of Sandwich Wall Panels (SWP) at 28 days of prism-shaped specimens with dimensions of 60 x 30 x 5 cm, 45 x 15 x 4 cm and 30 x 10 x 3 cm respectively 1.60 MPa, 1.86 MPa and 2.4 MPa for FLWC without banana stem fiber. The increase in the flexural tensile strength of the SWP was 40.63% (2.25 MPa), 21.51% (2.26 MPa) and 18.75% (2.85 MPa) respectively in the SWP-FLWC using Banana Fibers (BF) or an average of 26% increase. The size effect of the SWP test object looks significant, that is, there is a tendency that the larger the dimensions of the test object, the smaller the flexural tensile strength value, but on the contrary, the role of banana stem fiber in contributing to the increase in flexural tensile strength is seen to be more significant.

Agro-waste from Bambusa flexuosa stem fibers: A sustainable and green material for lightweight polymer composites

This study focuses on the extraction and characterization of natural fibers from Bambusa flexuosa, a species of bamboo, to determine their suitability as a replacement for synthetic fiber materials in construction materials. The discarded bamboo stem was used for fiber extraction, and the resulting fibers were analyzed for their physical, chemical, thermal, and morphological properties. The study found that the extracted fibers ranged in diameter from 140 to 175 μm and had a density of 0.81 g/cm3, which was improved to 1.14 g/cm3 through alkali treatment. The raw fibers were thermally stable up to 251.32 °C, while the treated fibers had thermal stability of up to 264.57 °C. The study also analyzed the kinetic activation energy of the bamboo fibers, which was found to be 67.59 kJ/mol for untreated fibers and 69.78 kJ/mol for treated fibers. Overall, the results suggest that these extracted fibers could potentially be used as a reinforcement phase in polymer composites for lightweight structural applications, particularly after alkali treatment, which improved their physical, chemical, and morphological properties.

Penggunaan Material Komposit Berbahan Dasar Serat Batang Tembakau dan Serat Batang Tumbuhan Kenaf dalam Meredam Kebisingan

Natural fiber reinforced composites are widely applied to equipment with materials that have a combination of two basic properties, namely strength and lightness. This study aims to determine the optimum ability of kenaf stem fiber and tobacco stem fiber which contain relatively high cellulose to be used as soundproofing materials and also to utilize tobacco stems which were originally considered as agricultural waste to become a more useful raw material. Comparison of stem fiber ratio kenaf and tobacco stem fiber 100:0, 60:40, 50:50, 40:60, and 0:100. From the research results obtained, the composite exhaust produces the smallest sound, namely 81.6 dBA at a fiber ratio variation of 60:40 at 1500 RPM and produces the biggest sound, namely 99.1 dBA at a fiber ratio variation of 0:100 at RPM 3500. Results it can be said that the damping of the composite exhaust is quite good because it is not too far from the quality standard threshold of 83 dBA. The ability of kenaf stem fiber to reduce noise is better than that of tobacco stem fiber because the cellulose content in kenaf stem fiber (by 50%) is higher than that of tobacco stem fiber (by 37%).

Evaluation of the Impact Strength and Morphology Properties of Musa Acuminata Fiber Composite/CaCo3 Powder

Banana stem (Musa Acuminata, MA) fiber is a free agricultural waste obtained after harvesting the fruit. When compared to synthetic fibers, banana fiber has significant weaknesses in composite production, such as low interfacial bond strength between the fiber and the matrix. The purpose of this research is to improve the impact strength of banana stem fiber composites by adding CaCO3 powder. The hot press technique is used to create composites. In the production of polyester composites, woven MA and CaCO3 stem fibers are prepared. An impact testing machine and a scanning electron microscope were used to investigate the effect on morphological properties and impact strength. The study's findings revealed that a polyester composite containing 10% banana stem fiber and 25% CaCO3 had the highest impact strength of 45.27 KJ/m2, which was associated with strong adhesion between the CaCO3-fiber and the polyester matrix. Fiber pullout, matrix cracking, and fiber debonding were all observed in the composite fracture morphology. The resulting composite properties could be used to replace palm fiber/fiber glass composites.

Anatomical adaptation of water-stressed Eugenia uniflora using green synthesized silver nanoparticles and melatonin.

Cell and sub-cellular anatomical adjustments are adaptations utilized by plants to tolerate abiotic stress. Both melatonin and Morinda lucida-silver nanoparticles (ML-AgNPs) are recognized as bio-stimulants. The study examined the morphological changes and adaptive characteristics of these bio-stimulants under water-stress Eugenia uniflora. Twenty-four hours was spent priming the seeds with melatonin (0.06 mg/L), ML-AgNPs (0.06 mg/L), and a mixture (1:1) of the two. The seeds were sown and subjected to water stress for 7 days. The leaves, stems, and roots of water-stressed E. uniflora were sectioned, dried, and examined using a microscope. Drought stress led to the production of non-glandular trichomes on the abaxial and the transformation of paracytic stomata into diacytic stomata. During water stress, melatonin enlarges intercellular gaps and stomata, increases sponge and palisade parenchyma, and thickens epidermis (stem and root) and fibers. The ML-AgNPs diminished the size of mesophyll, intercellular gaps, stomata, and stem fiber. The ML-AgNPs increased the size of bulliform cells and activated the mechanical resistance features of sclerophyllous leaves (thick-celled epidermis and sclerieds) and ray parenchyma (root and stem). Equally, Melatonin and ML-AgNPs increased stem and root anatomical characteristics (xylem, bark, pith, cortex, epidermis, and vascular bundles). Stomata of E. uniflora are susceptible to alterations and undergo cell division into two new stomata (stomatogensis) in response to varying conditions (melatonin and ML-AgNPs). Melatonin adopted a strategy for maintaining a high plant water status, possibly by osmoregulation, whereas E. uniflora primed with ML-AgNPs survived by minimizing transpirational water loss through morphological changes.

Experimental Study on Repairing Peripheral Nerve Defects with Novel Bionic Tissue Engineering.

Peripheral nerve defects are a worldwide problem, and autologous nerve transplantation is currently the gold-standard treatment for them. Tissue-engineered nerve (TEN) grafts are widely considered promising methods for the same, and have attracted much attention. To improve repair, the incorporation of bionics into TEN grafts has become a focus of research. In this study, a novel bionic TEN graft with a biomimetic structure and composition is designed. For this purpose, a chitin helical scaffold is fabricated by means of mold casting and acetylation using chitosan as the raw material, following which a fibrous membrane is electrospun on the outer layer of the chitin scaffold. The lumen of the structure is filled with human bone mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix and fibers to provide nutrition and topographic guidance, respectively. The prepared TEN graft is then transplanted to bridge 10 mm sciatic nerve defects in rats. Morphological and functional examination shows that the repair effects of the TEN grafts and autografts are similar. The bionic TEN graft described in this study shows great potential for application and offers a new way to repair clinical peripheral nerve defects.

Investigation of the formation of microstructure and strength characteristics of slag-alkaline arbolite

The creation of the slag-alkaline arbolite's structure is examined in this study, which is based on measurements of the deformation of the mortar component, contact zone, and filler. Composites made of slag and alkaline arbolite are among the lightest building materials available, with excellent sound insulation and low thermal conductivity. Standard measuring equipment and procedures for analyzing the chemical and physico-mechanical properties of slag-alkaline arbolite composites were employed during the experimental tests. All of the test samples were light concrete prisms with a cross section of 150x150 mm and a length of 600 mm. For comparison, one portion of the samples was constructed of slag-alkaline Portland cement, and the other portion was made of slag-alkaline binder with crushed cotton stem fibers as an organic component. The durability and deformability of arbolite were tested under Kazakhstan weather conditions and in standard hardening chambers. The arbolite underwent a compression stress that ranged from (0.3 to 0.75) Rbn of prismatic strength. It was discovered that the organic cellulose filler added to the slag-alkaline binder based on crushed cotton stalk fiber, which makes up to 70 % of the volume, has a major impact on the way structures are formed. The system becomes rigid, the elasticity changes, and the acoustic properties in this case will fix both physical and physico-chemical processes when a porous organic filler is added. The acquired results can be applied to the creation of efficient wall materials for civil buildings, including seismic zones

Production and Characterization of Paper from Banana Stem Fiber: Optimization Using Box-behnken Design (BBD)

ABSTRACT Banana stem is a known alternative to wood for the production of pulp and paper. During the production of paper, it is extremely important to save costs and time while at the same time enhancing quality of produced paper. In the present study, paper was developed from banana stem fiber by optimizing its density. Response surface methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to determine optimum blending parameters of the developed papers. The influence of banana stem fiber amount (250-1000 g), water amount (1-2liters) and blending time (5-10 min) on paper density was analyzed using software Stat-Ease 360, Version 13. The optimum conditions of banana stem fiber amount, water amount and blending time to achieve a density of 675.75 g/m3 were determined as 461.83 g, 1.31liters, and 8.53 min, respectively. ANOVA results revealed that the quadratic model best fits the density response, with blending time and banana stem fiber amount as the most significant model terms. Linear effects were more predominant than quadratic and interaction effects. The developed density model was in close agreement with experimental findings with an R2 value of 0.9748. Developed paper had cellulosic contents, with volatiles as high as 82.11%wb and 2.11%wb ash composition. Future works on thermal properties of paper are encouraged.

Physico-chemical characterization of Sambucus ebulus L. plant stem fiber

Physico-chemical characterization of Sambucus ebulus L. plant stem fiber