Extraction, Characterization and Enzymatic Degumming of Banana Fiber

Pseudostem is the major biomass being generated and not utilized after harvesting of banana bunches. The present study was aimed to characterize the banana fiber and to explore the possibilities of improving the quality of extracted fiber by degumming using enzymes. Fiber from pseudostem of five cultivars, viz., Grand Naine (AAA), Red Banana (AAA), Poovan (AAB), Popoulu (AAB) and Karpuravalli (ABB), were extracted using Raspador machine. Fibers were treated with pectinase, laccase and combination of both enzymes at varying concentrations. The highest fiber recovery was obtained from Karupuravalli (2.49%) and the least was recorded in Grand Naine (1.10%). Properties like breaking strength, breaking extension, tex and tenacity were found to be better in Red Banana fiber (975.97 gf, 3.17%, 33.7 tex, 28.40 cN/tex and 180.25 MPa respectively). SEM results revealed that laccase enzyme was more efficient in improving the surface quality of fibers followed by pectinase + laccase (25:75). Removal of pectinolytic substances from intact cells in cell wall of fiber resulted in surface smoothening of banana fiber.