Ashuvila Mohd Aripin

Exploring Non-wood Plants as Alternative Pulps: From the Physical and Chemical Perspectives

The increasing demand in wood fibre consumptions especially in pulp and paper making has pushed forward the search for alternative fibre resources. Non-woods derived fibre could be good candidates due to its abundance availability. The objective of this study is to determine the potential of non-wood plants as alternative fibres for pulp and paper-based industries based on its chemical and physical properties. The chemical properties involved in this study (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, hot water and 1 % NaOH solubilities and ash contents) were determined according to relevant TAPPI test, Kurscher-Hoffner and Chlorite methods. Meanwhile, the physical properties (fibre length and diameter) were determined according to the Franklin method. In order to propose the suitability of the studied non-wood plants as alternative fibre resources in pulp and paper-based industries, the obtained results are compared to properties of published wood resources. Results show that lignin content (5.67 %) and 1 % NaOH solubility (19.64 %) of cogon grass are the lowest compared to cocoa pod husk and oil palm leaf. These contents influenced the production of higher pulp yield. Although cogon grass contains short fibres length than oil palm leaf, the paper product will have higher strength due to the good inter-fibre bonding. This study conclude, based on the chemical and physical properties, the cogon grass, cocoa pod husk, and oil palm leaf are suitable to be used as alternative fibre resources in pulp and paper-based industries with various applications such papers, boxes and craft materials.

Analysis of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) as a potential alternative fibre in paper industry

Abstract The forest tree had become beneficial as the major source of raw materials for paper production. However, the main concern is the dwindling forest tree resources. Fibre substitution from non-wood sources can overcome this problem. The abundance of napier grass is characterized as agro waste material, and has a high potential to become one of the substitution fibres. The objective of this work was to analyse the chemical composition of napier grass and to investigate the morphological properties of napier grass fibre. The chemical composition of the fibre was analysed by the TAPPI test method, chlorination method and Kuchner–Hoffner method. The results indicate the potential of napier grass as a fibre. The napier grass morphology showed a condensed composition of fibre structure under a scanning electron microscope. This study of napier grass indicated the suitability for promoting the green technology in developing an eco-friendly product.

Cocoa Pod Husk and Corn Stalk: Alternative Paper Fibres Study on Chemical Characterization and Morphological Structures

Due to a shortage of wood source fibre in paper making industrys interest to agriculture residues fibre as a potential fibre sources in this industry. In this situation, importance has been developing in the paper industry from agriculture residue that will replace the wood fibre. Cocoa pod husk and Corn stalk are agriculture residues, which is good materials for paper production. The objectives of this study are to investigate the chemical characterization and surface morphology structure of these materials. The main components of materials which are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and ash content were parameters that involved in determination of chemical characterization in this study. The determination of chemical composition was accordance to Kurshner-Hoffner approach (cellulose), Chlorine Method (hemicellulose), T 222 om-06 (lignin) and T 211 om-07 (ash content). Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the surface structure of materials. From results obtained, corn stalk shows the higher amount in cellulose (39%) and hemicellulose (42%) content compared to the cocoa pod husk. In addition, lower lignin content also obtained in Corn stalk (7.3%) rather than that Cocoa pod husk (14.7%). From Scanning electron microscopy images, Corn stalk and Cocoa pod husk contained abundance lignocellulosic and rough surface structure due to the untreated materials. The result either chemical characterization or surface morphology that obtained in Corn stalk and Cocoa pod husk fibre wastes can be used successfully as an alternative fibres sources in papermaking application.

Cogon Grass As an Alternative Fibre for Pulp and Paper-Based Industry: On Chemical and Surface Morphological Properties

The increasing demand in wood fibre consumptions especially in pulp and paper making has pushed forward the search for alternative fibre resources. Non-wood derived fibre could be good candidates due to its abundance availability. Agriculture residues or non-wood annual plants are good potential fibre resource for pulp and paper making. The objective of this study is to determine the suitability of cogon grass as an alternative fibre for pulp and paper making by analysing its chemical and surface morphological properties. The holocellulose, cellulose, lignin, 1% NaOH solubility, hot water solubility and ash contents were quantified to analyse its chemical characteristics. Quantification of chemical compositions was conducted in accordance with relevant Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) Tests, Kurscher-Hoffner and Chlorite methods. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the surface morphology of the cogon grass fibre. Results obtained indicate that the holocellulose (64.93%) content is comparable with other published non-woods and the lignin (5.67%) content is favourably the lowest. In addition, the hot water and 1% NaOH solubilities are (3.83%) and (19.64%) respectively. SEM images show that cogon grass fibres contained abundance and long fibres which provide good strength of the produced handsheet. Based on the chemical and surface morphological properties analyses, cogon grass is a good alternative fibre resource especially for pulp and paper making industries.

Identification and expression of ligninase enzymes from tropical asia wood insect for agro-pulp biodelignification: a theoretical framework

Current pulp-processing in pulp and paper based industries are inefficient in removing the lignin as this compound is recalcitrant towards degradation. Transitioning from conventional pulping process into bio-delignification through utilisation of ligninase enzymes is one of the alternatives to improve the ability to fully utilize all components of wood to produce high quality fibres. Extensive research efforts have been focused on increase the production of ligninase enzymes from white rot fungi as a whole organism for industrial applications. However, enzymes activity produced from fungi are rather low as lignin modification is a secondary metabolism in which the enzyme only be expressed under particular conditions. Using genetic manipulations to incorporate genes associate for delignification isolated from different organisms such as tropical Asian wood-feeding insect into bacteria expression system will allow rapid enzyme production. This theoretical framework aims to produce an enzyme with high ligninase activity that will be used for removal of lignin during pulp-processing. These enzymes are thought to be more economically efficient in degrading lignin and involves less use of chemicals thus make this processing more environmentally friendly.Keywords: Biodelignification, Asian wood tropical insect, fungi, ligninase enzyme, bacterial expression system