Asian Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology & Environmental Sciences Paper

Vol 24, Issue 2, 2022; Page No.(232-239)

BAGASSE: A SUSTAINABLE RAW MATERIAL FORRURAL START-UPS

SANNAPAPAMMA K.J., VASTRAD J.V., DEEPA BHAIRAPPANNAVAR AND SANJAY B. PATIL

Abstract

Bagasse is one the potential raw material for the textile application and it is extracted from sugarcanerind. Presently the bagasse is used for cogeneration and other industrial application. In spite of the wideconsumption of bagasse as a fuel for mill boilers, electricity and steam generation, as well as animal feed,or as a raw material for paper and board manufacture, the residues still remain as a surplus which posesa disposal problem for mill owners. Hence, for proper utilization of bagasse is a need of an hour for localfarmers and entrepreneurs for their livelihood. The study is focused on optimization of fibre extractionmethods for textile application. Bagasse was procured from local sugarcane juice maker and jiggery unitsand subjected to different fibre extraction methods viz., chemical, enzymatic, mechanical and manualmethod of extraction for separation of fibres and pith. Further, fibre yield, time of extraction and cost ofproduction parameter were calculated. The result of the study revealed that, the fibre extraction method wasoptimized based on the fibre yield, time taken and production cost. Fibre yield was found to be more in caseof the traditional method of extraction followed by mechanical (Raspader machine) extraction with leastpercentage of wastage and less time. Among the fibre extraction methods, enzymatic extraction method wasfound to be costlier with minimum fibre yield followed by chemical extraction method. Production rate perkg fibre was accounted least (Rs. 36.00) in the traditional method followed by mechanical and chemical extractionmethod (Rs.63.00 and 59.00). Traditional method of fibre extraction was the suitable technique for Bagasse fibre extraction with greater fibre yield and less production cost can be effective agro startups for youngfarmers and local artisans.