MSc

Studies were conducted. at College of Horticulture, Department of
Processing Technology, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara from
February 2003 to August 2004 to asses the "Scope of banana and plantain
pseudo stem sheaths for fibre extraction and its utilization". The fibre extracted
under hand method of extraction recorded less wet weight (10.53g), less dry
weight (4.24g) and percentage of recovery (0.43per cent). In mechanical
extraction comparable values with wet weight (11.02g), dry weight (4.69g),
percentage recovery (0.51 per cent) were obtained. The visual quality of fibre was
rated as maximum under hand extraction. In retting method of fibre extraction,
among different retting agents sodium hydroxide (two per cent) produced
maximum wet fibre (12.22g) and dry fibre (6.50g) followed by hydrogen peroxide
(two per cent).
In regard to wet fibre yield, varieties Red Banana and Palayankodan
yielded maximum fibre under both methods of extraction (16.5g and 15.8g and
25.7g and 14.5g respectively). Dry fibre yield was also maximum (6.3g and 13.0g
respectively) under both the methods of extraction in Red Banana. The recovery
percentage results revealed that Nendran, Red Banana and Palayankodan were
showing higher percentage due to increase in sheath weight. Length of fibre was
maximum (94.2cm) in Red banana. In visual quality assessment Palayankodan
and Poovan (Rasthali) varieties recorded the superiour quality fibres.
Palayankodan exhibited maximum value .for fibre wall thickness (4.4J..lm), fibre
thickness (47.7 um) and lumen width (38.P9J..lm).
Among the varieties, Robusta recorded the maxunum tensile strength
(76.8), which was 25 per cent more Clan Nendran, 32 per cent more than
I
PaJayankodan, 29 per cent more than Red Banana and 10 per cent more than
Poovan (Rasthali). The variety Red Banma recorded the maximum elongation
(6.38 per cent) followed by Nendran (5.21per cent) and minimum (1.56 per cent)
was recorded by Robusta. The density of fibre was directly proportional to


elongation and inversely proportional to tensile strength. The density was
maximum (2.05g/cm3) for Nendran and minimum (1.78 g/cm ') for Palayankodan.
Irrespective of varieties, fibre stored in HDPE cover without vacuum recorded the
maximum storage stability for tensile strength and minimum of elongation and
density in Robusta. Irrespective of storage method tensile strength, elongation and
density of fibre varied significantly over a period of five months in respects of
varieties viz., Robusta, Palayankodan, Poovan, Red Banana and Nendran. The
stability of tensile strength, elongation and density were maximum during first
and second month. The water absorbability in banana fibre plait was maximum
ranging from 169.62 per cent to 168.25 per cent, whereas in case of rope the water
absorbability was lesser than the plait ranging only from 133.97 per cent to 133.10
per cent. Tensile strength was maximum n the plait of variety Robusta (675.77
cN/tex) and elongation was observed to 1 -e maximum in Kanchikela (23.09 per
cent).