OPTIMIZATION OF ENZYME TREATMENT FOR BANANA FIBER

Owing to environmental concern, it is imperative to utilize natural resources. Banana fibers, one of the minor cellulosic fibers are obtained from the pseudostem of banana plant. The pseudostems are normally discarded as biomass after harvesting the fruit. Banana fibers are potential textile fibers due to their excellent strength and lustre, however lacks spin ability due to stiffness. Lignin present in the bast fibers is one of the reasons that add to stiffness. Hence the present study is about softening banana fibers using enzymes. Four different enzymes were applied individually to optimize the concentration and conditions and a final treatment was standardized in combinations. The order of application of enzyme treatment as combination was also studied. Accordingly this paper also discusses the development towards the sequential and simultaneous mixed enzyme systems to accomplish softness.