The Double Rotting Using Water and Enzyme & Cottonizing of Kenaf

Kenaf basts were double retted by using water and enzyme. The best conditions were enzyme concentration and 1 day treatment at , 4 days treatment at . It was showed that the double rotting could be more economical and eco-friendly than just water rotting or enzyme rotting. Kenaf fibers have been cottonized by removing lignin and hemicellulose partially. In order to cottonize kenaf fiber, lignin of kenaf fibers were removed by sodium chlorite and then hemicellulose of kenaf fibers were removed by sodium hydroxide. The cottonizing phenomenon of kenaf fibers were was confirmed in transversal and longitudinal photograph of SEM. The tensile strength and crystallinity of cottonized fiber were investigated. The tensile strength and crystallinity were lower as the lignin and hemicellulose of kenaf fibers were less.