Production of Cellulose from Different Species of Banana (Musa paradisiaca) Mid-Rib Waste

A Sustainable Raw Material for Industrial Applications

Abstract

Wood fibre has been the primary source of raw materials for the production of cellulose for pulp and paper, bio-energy development and other industrial applications, and this has not only encouraged deforestation but also led to high costs of cellulose. This study examined the potential of generating cellulose pulp from four different species of banana (Musa paradisiaca) mid-rib wastes commonly known in Nigeria as Ibo banana, Saro, Paranta, and Ogede omini via alkaline sulphite pulping process using 1:1 ratio of NaOH and NaHSO3. The results gave the percentage yield of cellulose of 30 to 40 %, with the highest cellulose of 40 % being produced from M. paradisiaca (Paranta); the same amount of 35 % cellulose yield was obtained from M. paradisiaca (Ogede omini) and M. paradisiaca (Ibo banana) respectively, while the lowest cellulose was produced by M. paradisiaca (Saro). Holocellulose range of 80 to 71 % was recorded, while the alpha cellulose and hemicellulose were calculated, respectively. The FTIR characterization of the cellulose from each banana mid-rib species confirmed their chemical identity. The Fiber Length, Fiber Diameter, Lumen Width, Cell Wall Thickness, Runkel, Flexibility, Slenderness ratios and Coefficient of rigidity indicated that the mid-rib cellulose from each of the banana species have suitable long fibers and good tensile strength properties for industrial cellulose applications and morphological properties of the fibers shown by the (SEM) analysis also confirmed the alignment of the cellulose fibers, thus making the various banana mid-rib wastes a viable potential for cellulose production.