Abstract

GARCIA-BERFON, Luis et al. Non-woody species study from Loja Province (Ecuador) as potential raw materials for handmade paper manufacture. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2021, vol.22, n.2.  Epub July 30, 2021. ISSN 2594-0732.  https://doi.org/10.22201/fi.25940732e.2021.22.2.011.

Fifteen non-woody species from Loja, Ecuador: Linum usitatissimun L., Sida rhombifolia L., Sida poeppigiana (K.Schum.) Fryxell., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Alcea rosea L., Lavatera arborea L., Cortaderia jubata Stapf, Andropogon gayanus Kunth., Guadua angustifolia Kunth., Saccharum sinense Roxb., Arundo donax L., Yucca guatemalensis Baker., Agave americana L., Agave americana var. marginata Trel, and Saccharum officinarum L., were analyzed to study the potential of extracted fibers for artisanal paper making. The selected species are abundant in the southern region of Ecuador and were collected manually with the Environment Ministry authorization. The mechanical extraction of fibers, separation, and characterization of their components, was carried out using the appropriate TAPPI tests. Then with the extracted fibers, an artisanal paper was made using the alkaline cooking method for the preparation of the pulp, with subsequent formation and drying of the paper. Quality control in the final paper was realized by determining the kappa number, grammage, pH, blast resistance, and moisture in the final paper. The yield of these species in terms of obtaining fiber varies from 4 % in Agave Americana L., to 42 % for Guadua angustifolia Kunth., and the following intervals in chemical analysis: total cellulose 16 % to 59 %, distributed as α-cellulose: 11.36 % to 49.56 %; β-cellulose: 0.8 % to 7.5 %; and γ-cellulose 0.24 % to 13.72 %. According to multicriteria analysis, species Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Saccharum officinarum L., Arundo donax L., Agave americana var. marginata Trel., and Saccharum sinense Roxb, represent the best alternatives for paper making.

Keywords : Non-woody fibers; pulping; paper making; cellulose; multi-criteria analysis; mechanical pulping.

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