Extraction and characterization of fiber and cellulose from (MUSA AAA-EA) pseudo-stem for sustainable packaging.

A research thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering of Makerere University, Kampala

Banana pseudo-stems generate a substantial amount of waste which is a source of valuable cellulosic fibers for packaging. However, despite this potential, there is an existing knowledge gap in composition and physical properties of pseudo-stems, fibers as well as fiber extraction techniques of East African Highland Banana (EAHB), particularly in Uganda. The aim of the study was to determine the tensile properties, and composition of pseudo-stems, extracted fibers, and cellulose. Mpologoma and Kibuzi varieties pseudo- stem were collected and prepared. Their tensile and composition properties were determined. Fiber was extracted using mechanical and chemical methods. Properties namely; fiber yield, tensile, and chemical composition were determined. The structure of pseudo-stems, extracted fiber and cellulose was determined using FTIR spectroscopy. The tensile strength of pseudo-stems ranged between (9.0 to 9.6) MPa whereas that of extracted fibers was 1.0×10-3 MPa. Variety had no effect on the tensile properties of pseudo-stems and extracted fibers. Mechanical extraction of the fresh pseudo-stems had a higher fiber yield average (15%) than the chemical extraction method (3.5%). The chemical composition of pseudo-stems ranged between (3.0 to 3.5)% cellulose, (20.0 to 24.0)% hemicellulose, (7.0 to 8.5)% lignin. Hemicellulose and lignin content decreased with extraction. Absorption peaks in FTIR spectra indicated variations among pseudo-stems, extracted fibers, and cellulose structures. The spectra validated elimination of lignin from extracted fibers and cellulose through chemical treatment. EAHB (Musa AAA-EA) fibers and cellulose had tensile and composition properties that allow its application in various industries including packaging.