Evaluation of the physical properties of banana pseudostem for textile application

Abstract

Residues from banana cultivation generates residues lack proper management. The objective of this research was to evaluate the physical properties of banana pseudostem for textile application. Specifically, et species: Musa paradisiaca, Musa sapientum and Musa acuminata. A completely randomized design was applied with three treatments, corresponding with the species under study, carrying out five repetitions for each treatment. The fiber extraction was artisan and followed the next steps: cutting, cleaning and transport (pseudostem), extraction, combing, drying and storage (fibre). The results of the statistical analysis showed that Musa sapientum fiber has the most length (123.34 cm), greater elongation (7.93%), and the highest: resistance (30.52 MPa), linear density (0.070 dtex), when compared with the results of the species M. paradisiaca, and M. acuminata. All the species under analysis had a circular cross section. M. acuminata presented the greatest uniformity in the arrangement of filaments. In addition, the three evaluated species are similar to abaca, ramie and sisal in length and thickness. Finally, it was found that the cost of production of the artisanal extraction of banana fiber requires an approximate investment of $3.60. In conclusion, the fiber obtained from the three of the species studied has appropriate physical properties for textile application.