Investigation of pulping potentials of jatropha curcas

Abstract

The study investigated the pulping potentials of Jathropha curcas, Samples of sawdust, shaving and splinters were taken at three sampling heights (20%, 50% and 90%) and macerated using glacial acetic acid (CH3COOH) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in ratio 1:1. Result of fibre characteristics showed that mean fibre length ranged from 0.216mm at top 0.243mm at middle and 0.244mm at the base. Mean fibre diameter of sawdust (0.01053mm) was highest followed by 0.01028mm for splint and shaving had 0.01002mm. Highest lumen width was recorded at top. Both sampling height and within sample exhibited. Runkel ratio of less than 1 while Flexibility coefficient compared favourably with other species. This study showed that Jatropha stem can be used as an alternative in pulp and paper industry taking advantage of its appreciable short fibre length and Runkel ratio of less than 1.