Ecological Insight, Anatomical Features, and Fiber Characterization of Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forrsk.) Decne. as a Promising Resource

Abstract

Wild plants are considered promising natural eco-friendly resources for fibers. Leptadenia pyrotechnica is a xerophytic shrub that flourishes in a sandy desert habitat with high biomass production; therefore, it could be a potential resource for fibers. The present study aimed to investigate the vegetation composition of L. pyrotechnica communities and their correlation with soil variables. Additionally, this study aimed to evaluate the anatomical features of the stem as well as fiber characteristics, including chemical, biometry, morphological, and optical properties. The vegetation analysis showed the presence of 60 species belonging to 22 families, with a prevalence of therophytes. Four communities were determined, dominated by L. pyrotechnica and with co-dominance of the shrubs Haloxylon salicornicum, Ochradenus baccatus, and Retama raetam. The soil organic matter, salinity, texture, and cations were parameters that substantially affect the L. pyrotechnica community. The anatomical investigation showed the structural (anatomical) adaptation of L. pyrotechnica to arid habitats. Chemical analysis of the raw plant material revealed satisfactory levels of cellulose and hemicellulose (48.61% and 18.59%), while lignin and ash contents were relatively low, compared to hardwoods and softwoods. The fiber characterization revealed that fibesr length was 0.72 mm, while width and cell wall thickness were 20.46 and 6.48 μm, respectively. The optical properties revealed a birefringence of 0.028, indicating a good refractive index. These fiber characteristics showed that L. pyrotechnica could be used as raw material for the production of good-quality paper. A further feasibility study is recommended for the evaluation of L. pyrotechnica fibers, as a promising resource for papermaking at a large scale.