4.7 Article

Sugar cane plant fibres: Separation and characterisation

Journal

INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
Volume 47, Issue -, Pages 1-12

Publisher

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2013.02.017

Keywords

Sugar cane; Fibre; Pith; Crystallinity; Value addition

Funding

  1. University of KwaZulu-Natal

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Sugar cane is a potential source of large amounts of natural fibres which has not yet been adequately exploited. A simple physical method was devised to separate the fibres and the fines/pith from various locations in the plant to yield nine components. The yield of fibres obtained was greatest from the leaves. The fibre/pith ratios of four cane varieties investigated indicated good millability. All the components, except stalk pith, were morphologically similar and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the lignocellulosic nature of the material. The four components that arise from the cane, namely, rind fibre, rind fines, stalk fibre and stalk pith, showed clear trends in the crystallinity index, combustion temperatures, amount of residue after pyrolysis, percentage carbon content and gross calorific value. The fibres from the leaves and tops did not exhibit clear trends. The information gleaned from this study can be used to select appropriate end-uses for these different fibres. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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