The Chemical Nature of Ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L) Gaud) Fibre

S. K .Dey; P. K. Mandhyan

Volume : VI, Issue : X, October - 2016

The Chemical Nature of Ramie (Boehmeria nivea (L) Gaud) Fibre

S. K . Dey, P. K. Mandhyan

Abstract :

Ramie (Boehmeria nivea L.Gaud), a nettle family, is derived from the bark of the stem. Bast fies are obtained from the stems of various plants but ramie differs in many important characteristics. Ramie fie obtained contains a high proportion of gummy polysaccharides, whose removal is necessary for further processing. The main portion of the gum has been found to be of the nature of glucan, a polysaccharide. On extraction of the gum, the fie bundles eak up into ultimate fies having a fiillar structure. Quantitative analysis of chemical constituents and fie characteristics have been studied by using standard methods of R 67–34 Variety. It is observed that progressive removal of residual gum increases the α–cellulose content with a trace of lignin. The IR spectrum of degummed and bleached ramie reveals the successful removal of gums and it is similar to that of pure cellulose, indicating about 94% alpha–cellulose.