Author(s): David Oriabure Ekhuemelo*, Vivian Ojoma Aidoko and Veronica Eyakamo Abu

Affiliation: *Department of Forest Production and Products, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract: This study evaluated the fibre morphology of Musa balbisiana leaf, stalk and stem portions for pulp and paper production. Samples of Musa balbisiana portions were prepared and macerated in equal volume of glacial acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide in ratio 1:1. Twenty cellulose fibres from each portion were randomly selected using Reichert visopan microscope to determine the physical fibre morphology while the derived fibre indices were calculated. Data collected were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Follow up tests carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Results showed that means of fibre length, fibre diameter, cell wall thickness and lumen width ranged between 1.35 and 2.46 mm, 16.46 and 33.34 µm, 7.58 and 24.99 µm, and 3.54 and 3.56 µm, respectively. The mean values of fibre length of Musa balbisiana leaf and stalk were not significant but were significantly different from the mean values of the stem at p<0.05. The mean values of felting rate, elasticity coefficient, rigidity coefficient, Runkel ratio and F factor ranged from 84.47 to 142.43, 48.94 to 76.07%, 11.96 to 25.53%, 0.34 to 1.12 and 433.50 to 627.22, respectively. The leaf stalk of Musa balbisiana had the best Runkel ratio of 0.34 while Musa balbisiana stem had the best fibre length of 2.46 mm. Results further showed that while fibre length of stalk and stem portions of Musa balbisiana were long fibres, the leaf portion was short fibre. Runkel ratios of Musa balbisiana stalk, Leaf and stem were very good, good and poor, respectively while the Leaf, stalk and stem were elastic, high elastic and rigid fibre, respectively. In conclusion, Musa balbisiana has proved to be a very suitable non-wood, agricultural based material for pulp and paper production.

DOI: 10.22271/2582-3744.2020.sep.101

Pages: 101-107 | Views: 775 | Downloads: 506

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