JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS

https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1776665

Biowaste Management: Banana Fiber Utilization for Product

Development
R.W.I.B. Priyadarshanaa, P.E. Kaliyadasa a
, S.R.W.M.C.J.K. Ranawanaa, and K.G.C. Senarathnab
a
Department of Export Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka; bDepartment of Biosystems
Technology, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla, Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
Banana is a crop that is primarily cultivated for its fruit, mainly in the tropical Banana; pseudostems;
countries of the world. After harvesting, nearly 60% of its biomass including natural fiber; industrial
pseudostems are being left as a waste. Due to the favorable mechanical and applications
chemical characteristics of the fiber extracted from different parts of this 关键词
crop, various products could be produced by utilizing the banana fiber. This 香蕉; 分之一叶; 天然纤维;
review paper focuses on the products that have been developed from 工业应用
banana fiber as a source of natural fiber. Also, it is being discussed as
a reinforcement for polymeric materials in novel applications in different
industrial levels.
摘要
香蕉是一种主要种植其果实的作物，主要分布在世界的热带国家. 收获
后，包括假茎在内的近60%的植物生物量都被浪费了. 由于从香蕉作物不
同部位提取的纤维具有良好的机械和化学特性，利用香蕉纤维可以生产各
种产品. 本文综述了以香蕉纤维为原料开发的天然纤维产品. 此外，它还被
讨论作为高分子材料在不同工业水平的新应用的加强.

Introduction
Fibers are a class of hair-like material that is either continuous filaments or discrete elongated pieces,
similar to pieces of thread (Nordin et al. 2016). They can be spun into filaments, thread or rope and
used as a component of composite materials. Further, they can also be matted into sheets to make
products such as paper or felt. Fibers can be categorized into two major types: natural fiber and man-
made or synthetic fiber (Chandramohan and Marimuthu 2011).
Agro-based bio-fibers have the composition, properties and structure that make them suitable for
uses such as composite, textile, pulp and paper manufacture. Bio-fibers can also be used to produce
fuel, chemicals, enzymes and food-based products (Abas and Rased 2016). The exploitation of
potential natural fiber sources and improving the efficacy of fiber extraction process will play a key
role in the emerging green economy due to its greater biodegradability over synthetic fiber (National
Institute of Research on Jute and Allied Fibre Technology 2015). With the rising demand for
biodegradable, eco-friendly fiber materials as alternatives to synthetic fiber, there is a growing demand
to explore potential sources of natural fiber such as banana (Ray et al. 2012).
Banana fibers (BFs) are generally lignocelluloses material that consists of helically woven cellulose
micro-fibrils in amorphous matrix of lignin and hemicelluloses. The cellulose content serves as
a deciding factor for mechanical properties along with microfibril angle (Das et al. 2017). The high
cellulose content and low micro-fibril angle impart desirable mechanical properties for banana fibers.
Lignins are associated with the hemicelluloses and play an important role in the natural decay

CONTACT P.E. Kaliyadasa ewon@uwu.ac.lk Department of Export Agriculture, Faculty of Animal Science and Export
Agriculture, Uva Wellassa University, Badulla 90000, Sri Lanka
© 2020 Taylor & Francis
2 R. W. I. B. PRIYADARSHANA ET AL.

resistance of the lignocellulose material. The composition of banana pseudostem obtained by struc­
tural analysis consists with cellulose (35%), hemicellulose (17%) lignin (16%), extractives (5%), ashes
(9%) and moisture (11%) in its dry basis (Mukhopadhyay et al. 2008).
BFs are widely available in the tropical parts of the world as agricultural waste from banana
cultivation. Over 5 million hectares of banana plantation exist in more than 130 countries of the
world (FAO 2018). Banana plantations around the world result in creating tons of banana waste
including pseudostems of banana which have been left over to decompose, emitting a huge amount of
methane gas and carbon dioxide (Mostafa and Uddin 2015). Mean biomass produced by pseudostem
of a single banana plant at harvest is 1.44 (±0.6) kg (dry weight) (Nyombi et al. 2009). The emissions at
burning have a negative impact on the environment, which could contribute to increase global
warming every year. Every ton of banana waste emits, on average, a half-ton of carbon dioxide
per year (Mostafa and Uddin 2015). Therefore, the potential to convert this waste to wealth by
extracting the fibers from banana had to be developed, if not will create a huge disposal problem
(Aminudin et al. 2017).
In recent years, the use of plant fibers was considered to be “environmental friendly” fiber sources,
and many countries are emphasizing the importance of utilizing these fibers (Vigneswaran et al. 2015).
The best thing about these natural fibers is that they are biodegradable, finally broken down into water
and carbon dioxide by microorganisms in the soil. Banana fibers are environmental friendly and
present important attributes, such as low density, lightweight, high tensile strength, as well as being
water and fire resistant. Therefore, this kind of waste has a greater chance of being utilized for different
applications even in construction as well as in building materials (Vigneswaran et al. 2015).
Although banana plants and fibers are available in tropical regions in abundance, their potential
applications have not been exploited fully yet. At present, many industries make the limited
application of banana fiber, for example, in making ropes, mats and fabrics (Vigneswaran et al.
2015). But it can be utilized in a wide range of applications and industries by converting to various
composite materials. Hence, banana fiber-based production processes, structure, properties and
suitability of these bio-fibers for various industrial applications needs to be identified (Vigneswaran
et al. 2015).

Composites
Composites are materials that comprise strong load-carrying material (known as reinforcement)
imbedded in weaker materials (known as matrix) (Lakshumu et al. 2013). Reinforcement provides
strength and rigidity, helping to support the structural load. The matrix or binder (organic or
inorganic) maintains the position, orientation of the reinforcement and transfers the external load
to the reinforcement (Chandramohan and Marimuthu 2011). Composites can be grouped into three
main categories based on the nature of the matrix that each type possesses. They are metal matrix
composites (MMCs), ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and polymer matrix composites (PMCs)
(Pujari, Ramakrishna, and Kumar 2014).

Metal matrix composites

MMCs are usually consisting of two phases, fiber as reinforcement and metal as matrix. The main
objective of using a metal matrix composite system is to increase service temperature or specific
mechanical properties of structural components by replacing existing superalloys (Singla et al.
2009).

Ceramic matrix composites

In CMCs, the matrix is a ceramic material like calcium or aluminosilicate and the reinforcement is
usually silicon carbide fibers. CMCs show damage-tolerant behavior and good mechanical properties
in a broad range of temperatures (Alves, Baptista, and Marques 2016).
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 3

Polymer matrix composites

The mechanical properties of polymers are inadequate for many structural purposes. Particularly
strength and stiffness are low compared to metals and ceramics. These difficulties are overcome
by reinforcing other materials with polymers. Further, the processing of polymer matrix compo­
sites does not need either high pressure or high temperature, and equipment required for
manufacturing polymer matrix composites is simpler. For this reason, polymer matrix composites
developed rapidly and becoming popular for structural applications. Overall properties of the
composites are superior to those of the individual components. For example, when considering
composites and polymer or ceramic alone, composites have a greater modulus than the polymer
component but not brittle as ceramics. There are two types of polymer composites, namely,
particle reinforced polymer (PRP) and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) (Pujari, Ramakrishna, and
Kumar 2014).

Particle reinforced polymer

In PRPs, a particle generally has no dimension. The dimensions of the reinforcement determine its
capability of contributing its properties to the composite. The particles are harder than the matrix,
hence restrict the deformation of the matrix material between them and thus increase the stiffness of
the material. Particles of rubberlike substances in brittle polymers improve fracture resistance
(Agarwal, Broutman, and Chandrashekhara 2017).

Fiber-reinforced polymer
In FRPs, fibers are the reinforcement and the main source of strength while matrix glues all the fibers
together in shape and transfers stresses between the reinforcing fibers (Abidin et al. 2019). The fibers
carry the loads along their longitudinal directions. Sometimes, filler might be added to smooth the
manufacturing process, impact special properties to the composites, and/or reduce the product cost.
Common fiber reinforcing agents include asbestos, carbon/graphite fibers, beryllium, beryllium
carbide, beryllium oxide, molybdenum, aluminum oxide, glass fibers, polyamide, natural fibers, etc.
(Jayamani et al. 2019). Similarly, common matrix materials include epoxy, phenolic, polyester,
polyurethane, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), vinyl ester, etc. Among these resin materials, PEEK is
most widely used. Epoxy, which has higher adhesion and less shrinkage than PEEK, stands second for
its high cost (Pujari, Ramakrishna, and Kumar 2014).

Potential applications using banana fiber composites

Banana fiber-reinforced composites used in thermoset plastic appliances
Fiber-reinforced thermosetting composites are highly beneficial because the reinforced materials
improve the strength and toughness of the plastics. Neelamana, Thomas, and Parameswaranpillai
(2013) investigated the results of the morphological and surface properties of BFs in macrofibrillated,
microfibrillated and nanostructured forms and their impact on mechanical properties of the fiber-
reinforced phenol formaldehyde (PF) composites. They observed a substantial increase in thermal
stability from macrofibers to nanofibers which proved the high thermal stability of nanofibers. The
mechanical properties of BF reinforced PF composites such as tensile strength, flexural strength and
impact strength were also compared. It was found that a small amount of cellulose nanofiber from
banana can potentially induce a significant increase in those mechanical properties (Neelamana,
Thomas, and Parameswaranpillai 2013).
Mechanical performance investigation of randomly oriented short banana and sisal fibers rein­
forced with polyester made by Idicula, Joseph, and Thomas (2009) showed that the composite having
a volume fraction of 0.40 resulting from the best results. Better fiber/matrix adhesion and stress
transfer were found to be obtained in composite with relative volume ratio of banana and sisal of 3:1,
4 R. W. I. B. PRIYADARSHANA ET AL.

which also showed the highest tensile strength, flexural modulus (a measure of ability to bend) and
lowest impact strength (Idicula, Joseph, and Thomas 2009).
Hybrid composites of glass and banana fiber as reinforcement in a common thermoplastic matrix
like polystyrene would provide versatility on the properties of the composite materials (Haneefa et al.
2008). In their work Haneefa et al. (2008) concluded that the hybridization of banana fiber and glass
fiber increases the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composite with increase in the volume
fraction of glass fiber because of greater compatibility of glass fiber with polystyrene matrix. So it
would be possible to utilize both inherent characteristics of banana fiber and glass fiber to produce
composites which have a more favorable balance of thermal and other properties.
By treating BF with 1 N Sodium Hydroxide and saturation pressure, the thermal properties can be
improved without much deviation in its mechanical behavior (Benítez et al. 2013). It is also found that
the properties like flexural and impact strength of banana composite are superior to hybrid composite
that made of BF and flax fibers (Vijaya et al. 2013). These better properties make banana fiber-
reinforced composites suitable for thermoset plastic applications such as casings for electrical equip­
ment like voltage stabilizers and projectors and for mirror casings.

Banana fiber-reinforced materials for constructions

Sustainable development of the built environment in developing countries is a major challenge in the
twenty-first century. The use of local materials in the construction of buildings is one of the potential
ways to support sustainable development in both urban and rural areas. Building with Compressed
Earthen Blocks (CEBs) is becoming more popular due to their low cost and relative abundance of
materials. The influence of banana fiber length on the compressive and flexural strength of Green
Compressed Earthen Blocks (GCEB) was evaluated by Mostafa and Uddin (2015) and results indicated
the important insights into the influence of fiber length on the flexural and compressive strengths of
GCEBs. In GCEB matrices, factors such as soil constituents, fiber content, level of chemical stabiliza­
tion (ordinary Portland cement content), compaction effort and curing conditions all contribute to
high mechanical properties. Results show that on average, specimens reinforced with 50 mm fibers
performed better, in both flexural and compressive strength, compared to the unreinforced specimens
and specimens reinforced with different variations of 25 mm fibers. Further, the incorporation of
fibers into the matrices prevented sudden failure of the tested samples during the modulus of rupture
test (Mostafa and Uddin 2015).
Material properties of banana reinforced GCEB are largely influenced by fiber type, fiber volume,
fiber geometry and length (aspect ratio), fiber surface conditions, method of production and composi­
tion of matrices (Mostafa and Uddin 2015). All these factors were considered when selecting the
engineered natural banana fibers used in different applications. Innovative GCEB using banana fiber
could be produced while further improving the mechanical properties of CEBs. These findings showed
that with an adequate understanding of GCEBs with the use of fibers can enhance the lateral load
performance of earthen masonry (Mostafa and Uddin 2015). Therefore, these better properties of
GCEBs make them possible to be used in low-cost housing constructions.
In another study, banana fibers were chemically modified by alkali and characterized using Fourier-
transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis
(TGA) and wide angle x-ray diffraction (WXRD) by Kumar et al. (2008). Banana fiber-reinforced
composites were prepared using soy protein isolate (SPI) as the matrix and mechanical properties of
the composites formed were evaluated as a function of fiber content and matrix nature, that is,
plasticized soy protein (Kumar et al. 2008). SPI is one of the natural matrices of interest because of
its economical, renewable, easily available, hydrophilic nature and the better compatibility with
natural fibers (Nishinari et al. 2014). A study on the morphology, biodegradation and water resistance
of the banana fiber-reinforced soy protein composites was also carried out by Kumar et al. (2008).
Soy protein composites prepared using alkali treated banana fibers gave higher tensile strength and
modulus compared to composites prepared using banana fibers without alkali treatment. This could be
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 5

due to better interaction between the matrix and the fibers after modification by sodium hydroxide.
This has been confirmed by the increase in roughness as observed in the SEM photograph of alkali-
modified fibers (Kumar et al. 2008). Composites having long fibers showed higher mechanical proper­
ties regardless of the plasticizer content. Longer fibers will have less fiber ends and there would be less
flaws or low-stress bearing points which is the reason for the increased tensile strength and modulus for
these composites (Kumar et al. 2008). The dispersion of alkali-treated banana fibers in soy protein was
better as the surface of the fibers became rough and the diameter of the fibers decreased after alkali
treatment (Kumar et al. 2008). The surface morphology of short fiber-reinforced soy protein composite
samples was homogeneous with no pores. Alkali treatment of the banana fibers decreased the lignin
component, crystallinity and increased the roughness of the surface and mechanical properties of the
fibers (Kumar et al. 2008). Mechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced composites were strongly
dependent on the volume fraction of the banana fibers and the amount of plasticizer used (Kumar et al.
2008). It could also be concluded that alkali treatment of the fibers is necessary to get composites with
moderate mechanical properties as well as better adhesion between fibers and matrix (Kumar et al.
2008). These properties shown by fiber-reinforced composites which include soy protein isolate suggest
that they are potentially useful for a variety of applications in the construction industry.

Banana fiber composites for automotive and transportation applications

Engineers and manufacturing companies are in constant search of new and/or improved materials and
production processes to lower the costs and improve profit margins in the automotive industry. In the
past decade, natural fiber composites with thermoplastic and thermoset matrices have been embraced
by European car manufacturers and suppliers for door panels, seat backs, headliners, package trays,
dashboards and interior parts of automotive (Thiruchitrambalam et al. 2009).
Reinforcement of banana fiber in thermoplastics was studied by many researches (Habibi, Ibrahim, and
Dufresne 2008; Paul et al. 2008; Zainuddin et al. 2008) and investigated the mechanical properties. Habibi,
Ibrahim, and Dufresne (2008) used some agro-industrial residues (cotton stalk, rice straw, bagasse and
banana plant waste) to reinforce with polyethylene. Further, they observed that except for the low-density
polyethylene (LDPE) maleated low-density polyethylene (MLDPE) 0.75:0.25 blend-based composites, the
Young’s modulus displays a continuous increase upon adding of MLDPE in the blend, whereas the
elongation at break remains roughly constant. Paul et al. (2008) reported observations on the effect of
fiber loading on banana/polypropylene (PP) composite and found that both thermal diffusivity and thermal
conductivity were decreasing on increasing fiber loading (i.e., from 0.24 W m−1 K−1 for neat polypropylene
matrix to 0.217 and 0.157 W m−1 K−1 for 0.10 and 0.50 of volume fraction). It also reported that all the
chemical treatments (alkali, silane, permanganate and benzoyl chloride) increase thermal diffusivity and
conductivity in comparison with untreated fiber (John et al. 2008; Mukhopadhyay et al. 2008). Zainuddin
et al. (2008) found that the decomposition temperature of banana pseudostem fiber/unplasticized polyvinyl
chloride decreases from 279 to 256 on the addition of banana filler from 10% to 40%. They also
reported that the thermal stability of acrylic-modified composites was found to be more stable than
unmodified banana pseudostem fiber/unplasticized polyvinyl chloride composite.
In order to identify the best banana fiber composite for automotive and transportation applications,
Estrada, Pillay, and Vaidya (2008) evaluated different matrices; epoxy- and soy bean-based polyester
(referred to as eco-polyester). The flexural strength of banana fiber-reinforced soy bean-based
polyester composites was 40.16 MPa, which was 14.78% higher than the strength of banana fiber-
reinforced epoxy composites (Estrada, Pillay, and Vaidya 2008). The higher flexural strength and
modulus observed in the banana fiber/eco-polyester composites was related to improved fiber/matrix
interaction as a result of higher strain in eco-polyester matrix. Compressive properties were also found
to be dependent upon the fiber/matrix interactions, which improve with alkaline pretreatment for an
epoxy matrix and degraded with such treatment in the eco-polyester matrix (Estrada, Pillay, and
Vaidya 2008). Thus, the highest compressive strength of 122.11 MPa of the banana fiber/epoxy
composite was attained after fiber pretreatment and was 38.35% higher than the observed strength
6 R. W. I. B. PRIYADARSHANA ET AL.

without the treatment. In contrast, the highest compressive strength in banana fiber/eco-polyester
composites was 122.88 MPa and was achieved without fiber pretreatment; the use of alkaline
substances yields 31.07% lower properties (Estrada, Pillay, and Vaidya 2008). Water absorption was
also dependent upon the fiber/matrix interactions but with the additional factor of increased water
absorption by the biobased resin; therefore, moisture absorption was higher for eco-polyester matrix
composites. It was observed that environmental resistance was higher in banana fiber/epoxy compo­
sites with alkaline pretreatment, followed for banana fiber/polyester composites without any treatment
(Estrada, Pillay, and Vaidya 2008). This was due to improvement in fiber/matrix interaction with the
fiber chemical pretreatment in epoxy composites and to deterioration of the interphase in polyester
composites (Estrada, Pillay, and Vaidya 2008).
Glass fiber-reinforced polymers could be mixed with natural fibers to increase engineering and
technology applications, including automotive. Although glass and other synthetic fiber-reinforced
plastics possess high specific strength, their fields of application are very limited because of their
inherent higher cost of production. Natural fibers are not only strong and lightweight but also
relatively very cheap (Harish et al. 2009). However, banana fibers are associated with some challenges
including high moisture uptake, low thermal stability and low bonding with polymers (Misra et al.
2008). In the past decade, natural fiber composites have been modified in which several natural fibers
such as hemp, jute, sisal and banana are used as reinforcements in place of glass fibers and coir can be
used as a potential reinforcing material for making low load-bearing thermoplastic composites (Harish
et al. 2009). Alkali treatments have been proven effective in removing impurities from the fiber,
decreasing moisture absorption and enabling mechanical bonding, and thereby improving matrix–
reinforcement interaction (Pujari, Ramakrishna, and Kumar 2014).
Hybridization of natural fiber composite by another natural fiber does not yield superior mechanical
properties as hybridization by glass fiber (Jarukumjorn and Suppakarn 2009). Hence, this kind of hybrid
composites is suitable for low-cost applications and this kind of materials is very popular in engineering
market such as automotive industry (Boopalan et al., 2013). Natural fiber-reinforced fiber metal laminate
for automotive components may reduce vehicle weight and subsequently reduce the overall vehicle CO2
gas emissions (Ishak, Malingam, and Mansor 2016). Thus, the use of natural fibers is improving rapidly
due to the fact that the field of application is improved day by day especially in automotive industries.

Banana fiber-reinforced materials for packaging and other disposable applications

Surface modifications of natural fiber alone may not promote the properties of biocomposites to the
required level to be used in applications. This may be due to the larger interstitial voids created within
the biocomposites during the reinforcement of natural fiber (Lemos et al. 2017). Such voids can
accelerate premature breakage during mechanical testing. In such cases, intercalation/exfoliation of
organically modified layered silicates within the biocomposite system could be a good method to
regain/boost the performance characteristics of the biocomposite (Kumar and Singh 2013).
It has been attempted to prepare and characterize banana fiber- and Cloisite 30B (C30B)-reinforced
bionanocomposites using PLA matrix (Jandas, Mohanty, and Nayak 2013). BF was chemically
modified using coupling agents like 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS) and [bis-(3-triethoxysilyl­
propyl) tetrasulfane] (Si69) and also mercerized using NaOH to enhance the compatibility with the
matrix. Subsequently, PLA/BF biocomposites have been prepared by melt mixing method (Jandas,
Mohanty, and Nayak 2013). Further, organically modified layered nanosilicate, Cloisite 30B (C30B)
has been reinforced within the PLA/BF biocomposites with optimized composition (Jandas, Mohanty,
and Nayak 2013).
Eco-friendly biodegradable cutlery has been prepared successfully using optimized composition of
surface-treated BF-reinforced bionanocomposite (Jandas, Mohanty, and Nayak 2013). Mechanical,
thermal and flammability study has proved that the newly developed material has better or comparable
properties with petroleum-based polymers (Jandas, Mohanty, and Nayak 2013). Surface treatments of
banana fiber have been proved to be an acceptable way of enhancing the interfacial interaction
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 7

between PLA and BF. In addition, the newly added functionalities, especially from Si69 create
interpenetrating network bridges among PLA, BF and C30B. The polar organo-modifier end of
C30B accelerates the probability to form bridges through the nanoclay system with PLA and Si69-
BF. As a result, the bionanocomposite prepared from Si69-BF and C30B has given the highest
performance characteristics in terms of mechanical, thermal and flammability characteristics
(Jandas, Mohanty, and Nayak 2013).
Sathasivam, Haris, and Noorsal (2010) prepared the banana pseudostem fibers and polyvinyl
alcohol blended composite films and examined their physical characteristics. They found that the
increase in the fiber content improved the physical characteristics and decreased the degree of swelling
when compared to unblended films. Further, they suggested that these films can be used as an alternate
replacing material for food packaging materials (Sathasivam, Haris, and Noorsal 2010).
Rapid advancement in the field of nanotechnology has opened up prospects for cellulose, the most
abundant natural polymer on earth. Cellulose has gained prominence in the form of nanocellulose that can
be used as an advanced and novel biomaterial because of its incredible qualities like biodegradability,
biocompatibility, renewability, economical and chemical stability (Espino-Perez et al. 2014; Lin and
Dufresne 2014).
Peel of culinary banana (Musa ABB) is an excellent source of cellulosic fiber which can be used as
a biomaterial, as peel represents 40% of total fruit weight of banana (Khawas et al. 2014).
Unfortunately, peels are being often discarded and proceeding a pollution problem. The utilization
of this cellulose-rich biomass would not only increase the value of this agro-waste but also help to
overcome negative environmental issues. (Khawas, Das, and Deka 2016).

Banana fiber-reinforced materials for medical applications

Recently, the development of biodegradable polymers has been a subject of great interest in material science
from both an ecological and biomedical perspective. The polylactic acid (PLA) is one such thermoplastic,
biodegradable and absorbable polymer that can be made from annually renewable resources. PLA has great
potential to be used in either the industrial packaging field or the biocompatible/bioabsorbable medical
device market (Gao et al. 2012). However, the low thermal deformation temperature and the high price of
PLA currently limit its application, spurring considerable efforts to improve the drawbacks of the polymer
(Siakeng et al. 2018). Incorporating plant fibers into biodegradable polymers should not only enhance
thermal and mechanical properties but also reduce the cost of the materials while forming a totally natural
green composite (Yussuf, Massoumi, and Hassan 2010). In recent research, it was found that the mechan­
ical and thermal properties of PLA (Wang et al. 2008) were improved by the addition of plant fiber.
A process for manufacturing high-performance banana fiber-reinforced PLA was actively developed by
Shih and Huang (2011). BF was conjugated onto PLA chains using a coupling agent and a chemical
modification. As a result, the compatibility between BF and PLA was improved and reinforced the
mechanical strength of the materials. Further, this process raised the thermal stability of the composite,
reduced the cost of the materials and conformed eco-friendliness of the composites (Shih and Huang 2011).
Mechanical stability, tissue compatibility, thermal stability and superior tensile strength are the
prerequisites for successful tissue adherence at a wound healing site. These properties depend on the
chemical composition of the suture and the surface impregnated additives (Paige, Giuseppe, and
Travaglia 2016). Knot security, tissue reactivity and tensile strength are the key disadvantages
associated with the commercially available suture materials (Chellamani, Veerasubramanian, and
Balaji 2013). Plant originated fibers are biocompatible and can be developed as a suture material
with lower costs, that are eco-friendly and have a facile fabrication process (Kandimalla et al. 2016).
An attempt was made by Kalita et al. (2018) to develop a novel suture biomaterial from the
pseudostem of bananas. Furthermore, this invention meets this need by fabricating banana (Musa
balbisiana) fiber into advanced antimicrobials releasing suture biomaterial (BSc) for the prevention of
postoperative wound infection. Suture material developed from banana pseudostem fiber was impreg­
nated with chloramphenicol, clotrimazole and growth factors with the aid of a hydrogel system (Kalita
8 R. W. I. B. PRIYADARSHANA ET AL.

et al. 2018). The surface-modified suture possesses excellent tensile strength along with the desirable
physicochemical properties of an ideal suture. The fabricated suture was found to be biocompatible
and also exhibited the sustained release of drugs for up to 144 h. Apart from being environment
friendly and having a facile fabrication method, the BSc suture exhibited a significant antimicrobial
activity against infectious microbes such as S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans in both in vitro and in vivo
conditions (Kalita et al. 2018). Furthermore, the BSc sutured animals showed pronounced wound
healing through the reduction of infection and related inflammatory markers at the wound site. The
findings of this study establish the banana pseudostem fiber as a novel-advanced suture biomaterial to
prevent postoperative wound infections and also could potentially contribute toward the promotion of
banana cultivators by adding value to the agricultural waste (Kalita et al. 2018).

Other potential applications using banana fiber

BF is a natural bast fiber that has a wide range of uses in handicraft product developments. As it possesses
properties such as weatherproof, UV protection (because of lignin content), moisture absorption, anti-
oxidant and biodegradable, etc., it can be used to make a variety of products that help farmers economic­
ally and have a wide scope to create new market. Recent studies have indicated banana fiber possesses
a lot of advantageous physical and chemical properties which can be used as a very good raw material for
the textile and packaging industry (Vigneswaran et al. 2015). Relative higher tensile strength, 15.2%
moisture regain (cotton has 8.5% moisture regain), thermal resistance, UV resistance and soundproof
property of banana fibers in the form of fibers as well as nano-fibrillated cellulose films make it promising
to make many textile products (Kandavel and Vijayakumar 2018). Theeramongkol et al. (2017) devel­
oped an innovative banana fabric composed of nanoparticles (nanofiber cloth). They found that it can
induce a 3-log reduction of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia.
In another research, a biodegradable filter cartridge was developed for treating wastewater. It
comprises an elongate supportive member and a polymeric fibrous mass made from banana stem
mounted on the mentioned supportive member (Hamid 2016). The substantially cylindrical polymeric
fibrous mass layer having pores, function as sub-micron particles retainer to remove impurities from the
wastewater when it passes through the polymeric fibrous mass layer under positive pressure (Hamid
2016). This filter could be useful in a wide range of industries where wastewater is removed extensively.

Conclusion
Systematic insights to enhance the utilization of banana waste in different value-added products could
increase the profitability of banana farming while gaining environmental and economic benefits to
both agriculture and related industries.
Banana fiber as one of the biodegradable and eco-friendly sources of natural fiber, it causes less
environmental impacts as compared to that of synthetic fibers. Both the energy consumption and the
emissions for the production of polymers used as matrix in composites are significantly higher than
those for the production of natural fibers like banana. Therefore, the reduction of synthetic polymer
content at the expense of the increased level of natural fiber in the composition will improve the
environmental performance of natural fiber-reinforced composites compared to pure polymers as well
as synthetic fiber-reinforced composites.
Due to low density, high tensile strength, high tensile modulus and low elongation at break of
banana fibers, the composites based on this fiber have very good potentials to be utilized in a wide
range of industries like construction, automotive, machinery, medical and packaging other than the
conventional industries. Banana fiber and its products could be further attractive if suitable eco-
friendly cost-effective methods of fiber separation and its composite production are developed.
Therefore, systematic and persistent research in the future will increase the scope and better utilization
of banana fiber and its products.
 JOURNAL OF NATURAL FIBERS 9

Funding
This research was supported by the Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Operation of
the Ministry of Higher Education funded by the World Bank.

ORCID
P.E. Kaliyadasa http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4684-0024

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