ARECA HUSK FIBRES AS AGRO-WASTE TO VALUE ADDED PRODUCTSIN TEXTILE SECTOR - A PRACTICABILITY STUDY

India continues to be dominating the world in the production and productivity of areca nut and simultaneously with its husk fibres as an unmanaged agro-waste comprehensively. At present, the majority of waste is disposed of by burning which resulted in a loss of the potential source of organic matter and valuable plant nutrients. The areca husk in the plantation causes bad odour and other decay- related problems and poses environmental pollution. This husk can be used as raw material due to its low cost, less weight, low density and biodegradability for the production of value-added products through bio-softening which aims to achieve a polishing effect and avoids the use of caustic chemicals thereby minimizing pollution. The areca nut husk fibres are predominantly composed of cellulose and varying proportions of hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, and proto-pectin. The current study aimed at using cellulase enzyme to act on areca fibres to get fine fibres. These fine fibres obtained through enzymatic treatment can be commercially used in textile industries to produce value-added products blended with an appropriate percentage of cotton.