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2.1.7. Banana Plants Banana plants are mostly grown in tropical countries where they are considered as an agricultural crop. Banana bast fibre is a lingo–cellulosic material and extracted as a waste product of banana plant cultivation. Banana fibre has great specific strength which is comparable to conventional materials such as glass fibre [77]. Rana et al. [78] manufactured banana fibre-reinforced polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resin and evaluated the mechanical strength of these composites. They concluded that PVA composites with reinforced banana fibre could be used as biodegradable food packaging. They had good biodegradation with adequate handling strength. 2.1.8. Ramie ( Boehmeria nivea (L)Gaud.) Ramie is a perennial hardy shrub belonging to the Urticaceae family. Ramie is con- sidered one of the oldest vegetable fibres which has been utilised for thousands of years, specifically as mummy cloths in Egypt from 5000–3000 BC. Ramie was initially grown in China, while today ramie fibre is mainly grown in Brazil, India, China, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The fibres are popularly known as Rhea, Kunkura, Pooah, Kunchoor, Puya, steel wire and China grass in different parts of India. There is high demand for ramie fibres due to their performance and aesthetic properties. Ramie fabrics effectively absorb moisture, transmit heat, and are more resistant to mildew than other cellulose-based fibres. Table1. Origin and properties of natural fibres. Reprinted with permission from Ref. [79]. Copyright 2021 Wiley Ltd.
Tensile Strength (MPa) 418–486 529–759
Tensile Modulus (GPa)
Natural Fibre
World Production ( × 10 3 Tonnes)
Density (kg/m 3 )
Diameter ( μ m)
% Elongation
Origin
Abaca
Leaf Stem Stem Fruit
70
0.83 1.35
114–130
12–13.8
-
Banana Bamboo
200
80–250
8.20
1–3.5
10,000
910
-
503
35.91
1.4
Coir
100
1.15
100–460
108–252 287–597 345–1500 393–800 550–900
4–6
15–40
Cotton
Lint
Fruit 18,500
1.6 1.5
- - - -
5.5–12.6 27.6–80
3–10
Flax Jute
Stem Stem Stem Stem
810
1.2–3.2 1.5–1.8
2500
1.46 1.48
10–30
Hemp Kenaf
215 770
70
1.6
1.4
81
250
4.3
-
Oil palm Fruit
Abundant
0.7–1.55 1.0–1.55
150–500
80–248
0.5–3.2
17–25
Ramie
Stem
100
20–80
400–1000
24.5–128
1.2–4.0
Fruit/ grain
Ricehusk
Abundant
-
-
-
-
-
Roselle
Stem Leaf
250 380
-
-
-
-
-
Sisal
1.45
50–300
227–400
9–20
2–14
2.2. Natural Fibre Selection Parameters as Packaging Material The function of food packaging is to protect the food contained inside the packaging from physical, chemical and biological hazards (oxygen, moisture, light, microbial con- tamination and insects) [80]. Packaging materials depend greatly upon the type of food. contained inside the packaging such as meat, fruits, vegetables and ready-to-eat food. The packaging must maintain the safety and quality of the contained food. Other functions in- cluding proper containment, convenience, and information regarding the food are required,
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