The Evaluation of the Banana Tree as a Source of Papermaking Fiber

This investigation is conducted under found broad categories - effect of various cooking methods, blending with softwood, CEHD bleaching and fiber microscopy. It is found that the leaves are unpulpable but the stalks and stems give fibers comparable to hardwoods. Banana pulps are uneconomical to bleach due to high Kappa numbers and acid pretreatment requirement. The individual fibers are long, slender and stiff similar to bamboo and rice fibers. Peculiar hairlike structure are dominant. Banana pulp can be substituted for hardwood pulp in the manufacture of bags and wrapping paper and especially advantageous for liner board due to its high stiffness