Effect of wet processing dynamics of okra fiber: Properties and processing strategies

Abstract

The earth is rich in fibrous material to cater to the needs of humans. Despite technological advancements,
every source of fibre has not been fully tapped. In this regard, a study on okra fibres has been conducted. The
objective is to overcome the shortage of natural fibres and utilize underutilized fibres on earth. The extraction
and analysis of fibres from okra plant was carried out. The world is focusing on renewable and sustainable
resources. The fibres were extracted from the stalk of the plant and subjected to extraction and evaluation of
their properties such as chemical constituents, length, wall thickness, diameter, strength, and moisture content.
The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) study was also carried out to assess the morphological changes in
the fibres on processing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction test was also
carried out to detect the presence of chemical groups in the fibres. The XRD spectrum of the raw, degummed,
and bleached okra fibers indicated the presence of cellulose, as reflected by the sharp peak that represents the
increasing portion of the crystalline structure of cellulose. The results suggest that okra fiber has the potential
to be a substitute for conventional fibers in various industries such as home furnishings, automotive, civil
engineering, geo-textiles, industrial filters, and medical and sanitary materials