Research Article - Materials Science and Nanotechnology (2018) Volume 2, Issue 1

Effect of extraction method on physicochemical characteristics of kahili ginger (Hedychium gardnerianum) fibres.

The stems of the exotic and invasive Hedychium gardnerianum (kahili ginger) are one of the most abundant plant residues in the Portuguese islands of Azores. However, they have not been adequately studied as a source of plant fibres. In this study we investigated the influence of three extraction methods (mechanical, enzymatic and chemical) on the following fibres physicochemical characteristics: water absorption and moisture content, ash content, extractable content, and lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose contents. The fibres’ physicochemical characteristics of the tested samples were not significantly different, regardless the extraction method. Moreover, kahili ginger fibres presented: a superior cellulose content and an inferior hemicellulose content when compared with other natural fibres as flax, hemp, jute, kenaf and ramie; a lignin content comparable to the hemp and jute fibres; an extractable content comparable of those of flax, hemp and kenaf. In conclusion, all extraction methods had similar results on fibres physicochemical characteristics, the suitability of the methods will depend on the further application of the fibres.

Author(s): Telmo Eleutério*, Maria João Pereira, Helena Cristina Vasconcelos

Abstract Full Text PDF