Bio–softening of Banana Fiber for Nonwoven Application

Volume : IV, Issue : IV, April - 2015

Ms. Ankita Shroff, Prof. Anjali Karolia, Dr. Jayendra Shah

India is the world�s largest producer of banana. The fiber has limited application in textiles due to its high stiffness

and less cohesive properties. The aim of the study was to remove noncellulosic gummy materials from banana fiber

thus softening it and prepare nonwovens through needle punch method. Grey banana fibers were treated with hemicellulase, pectinase and

cellulase enzyme individually by varying its concentration and time. This optimised treatment was treated with different combination of

enzymes, and then standardised. The effect of the enzymes on the fibers was measured in weight loss, strength loss and whiteness index of the

fiber. Subjective analyses by touch and feel method, SEM analyses were also done. The best softened fibers were then processed for preparation

of nonwovens through needle punch method at NIRJAFT Kolkata