Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance

Abstract This study investigates banana fibers, manually extracted from indigenous species grown in the Tekeze area of the Tigray region, Ethiopia, as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. The effects of alkali treatment—using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations from 0.1 M to 0.5 M, trea...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Abrha Gebregergs Tesfay, Higus Gidey Welegebreal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Discover Materials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00294-8
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849334564267229184
author Abrha Gebregergs Tesfay
Higus Gidey Welegebreal
author_facet Abrha Gebregergs Tesfay
Higus Gidey Welegebreal
author_sort Abrha Gebregergs Tesfay
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates banana fibers, manually extracted from indigenous species grown in the Tekeze area of the Tigray region, Ethiopia, as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. The effects of alkali treatment—using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations from 0.1 M to 0.5 M, treatment durations from 30 min to 90 min, and temperatures from 40 °C to 80 °C—were examined on banana fiber properties such as elongation, tenacity, water absorption, and fineness. Twenty-seven experimental samples, each weighing 5 g and measuring 1000 mm in length, were treated in a microwave oven. ANOVA revealed that NaOH concentration and temperature significantly influenced fiber characteristics. Optimization using multi-response surface methodology identified ideal treatment conditions: 0.31 M NaOH, 74.8 min, and 61.01 °C. Under these conditions, the treated fibers exhibited 2.37% elongation, 29.54 cN/tex tenacity, 372.94% water absorption, and 9.82 tex fineness. These optimized fibers demonstrated properties comparable to those of conventional textile fibers, including cotton, with enhanced fineness and a balanced combination of strength and flexibility. Notably, the reduced water absorption achieved through optimization is advantageous for water-repellent applications. This study confirms that precise control of alkali treatment parameters can effectively enhance banana fiber properties, making them a promising and sustainable alternative to cotton in various textile applications. Graphical Abstract
format Article
id doaj-art-a82122e3d7044da0b5d0d09668add1bc
institution Kabale University
issn 2730-7727
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Springer
record_format Article
series Discover Materials
spelling doaj-art-a82122e3d7044da0b5d0d09668add1bc2025-08-20T03:45:32ZengSpringerDiscover Materials2730-77272025-06-015112210.1007/s43939-025-00294-8Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performanceAbrha Gebregergs Tesfay0Higus Gidey Welegebreal1School of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, EiT – M, Mekelle UniversitySchool of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, EiT – M, Mekelle UniversityAbstract This study investigates banana fibers, manually extracted from indigenous species grown in the Tekeze area of the Tigray region, Ethiopia, as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fibers. The effects of alkali treatment—using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentrations from 0.1 M to 0.5 M, treatment durations from 30 min to 90 min, and temperatures from 40 °C to 80 °C—were examined on banana fiber properties such as elongation, tenacity, water absorption, and fineness. Twenty-seven experimental samples, each weighing 5 g and measuring 1000 mm in length, were treated in a microwave oven. ANOVA revealed that NaOH concentration and temperature significantly influenced fiber characteristics. Optimization using multi-response surface methodology identified ideal treatment conditions: 0.31 M NaOH, 74.8 min, and 61.01 °C. Under these conditions, the treated fibers exhibited 2.37% elongation, 29.54 cN/tex tenacity, 372.94% water absorption, and 9.82 tex fineness. These optimized fibers demonstrated properties comparable to those of conventional textile fibers, including cotton, with enhanced fineness and a balanced combination of strength and flexibility. Notably, the reduced water absorption achieved through optimization is advantageous for water-repellent applications. This study confirms that precise control of alkali treatment parameters can effectively enhance banana fiber properties, making them a promising and sustainable alternative to cotton in various textile applications. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00294-8Banana fiberAlkali treatmentMechanical propertiesFinenessWater absorptionOptimization
spellingShingle Abrha Gebregergs Tesfay
Higus Gidey Welegebreal
Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
Discover Materials
Banana fiber
Alkali treatment
Mechanical properties
Fineness
Water absorption
Optimization
title Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
title_full Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
title_fullStr Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
title_full_unstemmed Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
title_short Optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
title_sort optimization of banana fiber treatment parameters for improved textile performance
topic Banana fiber
Alkali treatment
Mechanical properties
Fineness
Water absorption
Optimization
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43939-025-00294-8
work_keys_str_mv AT abrhagebregergstesfay optimizationofbananafibertreatmentparametersforimprovedtextileperformance
AT higusgideywelegebreal optimizationofbananafibertreatmentparametersforimprovedtextileperformance