Production and Characterization of Paper from Banana Stem Fiber: Optimization Using Box-behnken Design (BBD)

• Published in: Journal of natural fibers 2023-04, Vol.20 (1)
• Main Authors: Yiga, Vianney Andrew, Lubwama, Michael, Opio, James, Menya, Emmanuel, Nono, Denis, Nalubega Lubwama, Harriet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Banana stem; Blending; box-behnken design; Density; Design optimization; Fruits; Hardwoods; optimization; Response surface methodology; Thermal properties; Thermodynamic properties; Variance analysis; Volatiles; 优化; 响应面方法; 密集; 纸张; 设计; 香蕉茎
• ISSN: 1544-0478; 1544-046X
• DOI: 10.1080/15440478.2023.2192019

Banana stem is a known alternative to wood for the production of pulp and paper. During the production of paper, it is extremely important to save costs and time while at the same time enhancing quality of produced paper. In the present study, paper was developed from banana stem fiber by optimizing its density. Response surface methodology (RSM) using Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to determine optimum blending parameters of the developed papers. The influence of banana stem fiber amount (250-1000 g), water amount (1-2liters) and blending time (5-10 min) on paper density was analyzed using software Stat-Ease 360, Version 13. The optimum conditions of banana stem fiber amount, water amount and blending time to achieve a density of 675.75 g/m 3 were determined as 461.83 g, 1.31liters, and 8.53 min, respectively. ANOVA results revealed that the quadratic model best fits the density response, with blending time and banana stem fiber amount as the most significant model terms. Linear effects were more predominant than quadratic and interaction effects. The developed density model was in close agreement with experimental findings with an R 2 value of 0.9748. Developed paper had cellulosic contents, with volatiles as high as 82.11%wb and 2.11%wb ash composition. Future works on thermal properties of paper are encouraged.