ABSTRACT

Pseudostem is the major biomass being generated and not utilized after harvesting of banana bunches. The present study was aimed to characterize the banana fiber and to explore the possibilities of improving the quality of extracted fiber by degumming using enzymes. Fiber from pseudostem of five cultivars, viz., Grand Naine (AAA), Red Banana (AAA), Poovan (AAB), Popoulu (AAB) and Karpuravalli (ABB), were extracted using Raspador machine. Fibers were treated with pectinase, laccase and combination of both enzymes at varying concentrations. The highest fiber recovery was obtained from Karupuravalli (2.49%) and the least was recorded in Grand Naine (1.10%). Properties like breaking strength, breaking extension, tex and tenacity were found to be better in Red Banana fiber (975.97 gf, 3.17%, 33.7 tex, 28.40 cN/tex and 180.25 MPa respectively). SEM results revealed that laccase enzyme was more efficient in improving the surface quality of fibers followed by pectinase + laccase (25:75). Removal of pectinolytic substances from intact cells in cell wall of fiber resulted in surface smoothening of banana fiber.

摘要

假茎是香蕉串收获后产生但未被利用的主要生物质。本研究旨在表征香蕉纤维并探索通过使用酶脱胶提高提取纤维质量的可能性。使用 Raspador 机器从五个品种的假茎中提取纤维，即 Grand Naine (AAA)、Red Banana (AAA)、Poovan (AAB)、Popoulu (AAB) 和 Karpuravalli (ABB)。用不同浓度的果胶酶、漆酶和两种酶的组合处理纤维。Karupuravalli 的纤维回收率最高（2.49%），Grand Naine 的纤维回收率最低（1.10%）。发现红香蕉纤维的断裂强度、断裂伸长率、tex 和韧度等性能更好（分别为 975.97 gf、3.17%、33.7 tex、28.40 cN/tex 和 180.25 MPa）。SEM 结果表明，漆酶在改善纤维表面质量方面更有效，其次是果胶酶 + 漆酶 (25:75)。从纤维细胞壁中的完整细胞中去除果胶分解物质导致香蕉纤维表面光滑。