Chemical composition, fiber morphology, and kraft pulping of empty fruit bunch of dura variety (Elaies guineensis Jack)

Abstract

Abstract Fiber dimension, chemical component and pulp properties of biomaterial will directly affect the process, cost and quality of the paper produced, unfortunately until now it is very difficult to find information regarding these traits for Dura varieties. This study aims to examine the suitability of OPEFB of dura variety as paper raw materials based on those properties. Measurement of fiber dimension was carried out on maceration preparation made using Fraklin solution. Chemical components were determined by following the Tappi test method procedure. Pulp was made by the kraft method, then the properties were analyzed using Tappi test method and Scan. The results showed that this material had thin-walled fibers (2.79 ± 0.84um) with a medium length (1073.81 ± 373.63 um). This material contained extractive (7.19%) and holocellulose (67.69%) which were categorized high, and low in lignin (21.08%). The pulp produced yield (39.7%) and a high-categorized kappa number (23.3) and low alkali consumption (9.4%). Based on those values, OPEFB of dura variety was suitable as raw material for paper manufacture, although more efforts are still needed to increase the pulp yield value, due to the high value of “uncooked” pulp (32.43%).