Utilization of banana fiber for paper elaboration

Abstract

Ecuador is one of the biggest banana producers and exporters worldwide, so the amount of waste generated by this industry is enormous. This review analyzed the opportunity to reuse banana"™s (Musa sapientum) pseudostem fiber to make paper. The recollected information shows that the process to obtain the fiber starts with the separation of lignin from cellulose using a digester, followed by washing, bleaching, beating, pressing and drying. Its chemical composition, low lignin and high alpha-cellulose content allows its re-utilization for the fabrication of high quality, biodegradable, economical and non-toxic paper. The analysis of the information and the data collected shows that banana fiber has mechanical properties such as absorption, density, flexibility and resistance, similar to wood fiber. The reviewed process suggests that the banana production chain could become not only more efficient but also more effective, which leads to the reduction of the waste created during banana commercialization and the possibility of expanding towards a globalized world that requires more ecological operation systems. Due to the explanation above, it is expected to see this type of paper being manufactured in the near future.