Effect of mechanical and chemical treatments of arecanut (areca catechu L.) fruit husk on husk and its fibre

Arecanut husk, a biomass is generated during extraction of nut and is stored in heaps in the backyards of processing units. Arecanut husk presently has no industrial/commercial applications and is a cause of major environmental hazards. Arecanut husk is rich in good quality lingo-cellulosic fibres which have potential applications in various fields. Presently there is no proper process and machinery available to extract these fibres on a mass scale. Designing such machinery requires characterisation of husks, bonding force between fibres and the shell, etc. The aim of the present study is develop suitable mechanical and chemical treatments to facilitate easy extraction of fibres and also to study the effects of theses pretreatments on tensile property of fibres. The variety used was Shreevardhini. It was noticed that the pretreatments of husk had significant effect on fibre separation. Highest fibre recovery of about 57% was achieved with pressed husks soaked in water for 24 h. Detachment force required for fibre / fibres separation from husk was least in 2.5% KOH treated husks. There was no adverse effect of pretreatments on tensile strength of fibres. Pressing of husks resulted in maximum fibre recovery due to weakening of bonds, hence pressing of arecanut husk before mechanical fibre extraction is recommended, whereas chemical pretreatment of husks with KOH is not recommended.