Omparative Assessment of Physico-Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Alkali and Fungal Treated Musa Paradisiaca L. Fiber

Abstract

The current study deals with the investigation on the properties of lignocellulose fibre from the stem of Musa paradisiaca L. The Musa paradisiaca L. fibres were extracted from its pseudo stem by mechanical process. The extracted fibres were treated with five different concentrations of NaOH and two different fungal cultures (Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus cereus). The treated fibres were analysed for physical, chemical and mechanical properties as per standard procedure with raw banana fibre. From the chemical investigation, lignin content of the Raw Banana fibre (15.98%) was decreased in the fibre treated with 25% of NaOH (13.56%), Aspergillus niger (11.40%) and Aspergillus cereus (12.54%). Mechanical properties of treated fibre were shows progressive results in comparison with raw banana fibre. In conclusion, the investigation proved that banana fibre treatment with the NaOH and Aspergillus spp has a significant effect on the physiochemical properties