GB721878A - A new or improved process for the separation of the fibres from the bark, wood and other tissues of fibrous plants - Google Patents

Abstract

721,878. Obtaining fibres from plants. TURNBULL, R. H. Aug. 15, 1952 [Aug. 16, 1951], No. 19389/51. Class 120 (1). Fibres are extracted from the stems of jute, kenaf, ramie, flax, sisal, abaca, hemp and other plants by first crushing the stems and then treating them at a temperature between 30‹ and 60‹C. with a liquor containing sufficient of a cytase or cytases to effect in less than four days decomposition of the pectinaceous compounds to free the fibres. The crushing is preferably effected by plain or fluted rollers and the stems may be further crushed after the liquid treatment. In an example, jute stems were crushed immediately after harvesting in order to expose the fibres. Small amounts of water were added during and immediately prior to crushing. After crushing, the stems were sprayed with juices expressed during crushing, although infusions from the same or similar plants may have been used. Liquid temperatures between 30‹ and 60‹C. were employed. After further rolling, the stems were stacked at 30‹ to 60‹C. for one or more days until the fibre binding material was loosened, then they were dried, rolled again and the fibres cleaned by brushing. Jute root cuttings after crushing were washed for 5 hours or more at 30‹ to 60‹C., then steeped in the wash liquid for 24 to 48 hours at 40‹ to 50‹ C., washed, partially dried, crushed and more completely dried. Suitable cytases are pectases, pectinase and protopectinase ; other cytases may be obtained from diastase, certain fruits and vegetables, for example, tomatoes and potatoes, various fungi and bacteria, such as Granulobacter pectinovorum. Certain moulds may be used as accelerators, such as Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium glaucum, Penicillium italicum, Pythium ultimum and the Mucors and some bacteria, such as Bacillus asterosporous, macerans, flesineus polymyxa and Granulobacter pectinovorum. Nutrient materials, such as ammonium salts, for example, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, and carbohydrates, for example, invert sugar, may also be added. The pH values of the liquors should preferably be between 6 and 7. It is stated that useful by-products are pectin, pectic acid and its compounds and cellulose pulp, useful in the manufacture of paper, paper board, fibre board. and alcohol.