Characterization of Atlantic Forest Tucum ( Bactris setosa Mart.) Leaf Fibers: Aspects of Innovation, Waste Valorization and Sustainability

• Published in: Plants (Basel) 2024-10, Vol.13 (20), p.2916
• Main Authors: Flohr, Taynara Thaís, Neiva, Eduardo Guilherme Cividini, Dantas, Marina Proença, Corrêa, Rúbia Carvalho Gomes, Yamaguchi, Natália Ueda, Peralta, Rosane Marina, da Silva Júnior, Afonso Henrique, da Cruz, Joziel Aparecido, de Aguiar, Catia Rosana Lange, de Oliveira, Carlos Rafael Silva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bactris; Biodegradation; Bleaching; Cellulose; Cellulose fibers; Cotton fibers; Dyes; Environmental aspects; fiber characterization; Fibers; Fourier analysis; Fourier transforms; Indigenous species; industrial crop; Infrared analysis; Infrared spectroscopy; Innovations; Leaves; Linen; Mechanical properties; natural fibers; Palms; Physiology; Plant fibers; Scanning electron microscopy; sustainable materials; Tensile strength; Testing; Thermogravimetric analysis; tucum fibers
• ISSN: 2223-7747; 2223-7747
• DOI: 10.3390/plants13202916

This study investigates the fibers of tucum ( Mart.), a palm species native to the Atlantic Forest. The fibers manually extracted from tucum leaves were characterized to determine important properties that help with the recognition of the material. The fibers were also subjected to pre-bleaching to evaluate their dyeing potential. The extraction and characterization of these fibers revealed excellent properties, making this material suitable not only for manufacturing high-quality textile products but also for various technical and engineering applications. The characterization techniques included SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), and tensile strength tests. These analyses showed that tucum fibers possess desirable properties, such as high tensile strength, with values comparable to linen but with a much finer diameter. The fibers also demonstrated good affinity for dyes, comparable to cotton fibers. An SEM analysis revealed a rough surface, with superficial phytoliths contributing to their excellent mechanical strength. FTIR presented a spectrum compatible with cellulose, confirming its main composition and highly hydrophilic nature. The dyeing tests indicated that tucum fibers can be successfully dyed with industrial direct dyes, showing good color yield and uniformity. This study highlights the potential of tucum fibers as a renewable, biodegradable, and sustainable alternative for the transformation industry, promoting waste valorization.