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Coir Pith – A Medium for Oil Absorption Parameswaran, P. S.; Ravindranath, Anita Das; Sarma, U. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 35 No 1 (2019): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Coir pith, the byproduct of coconut husk, due to its abundance nature and its porous structure can be effectively used for oil adsorption. Modification of coir pith to make as hydrophobic may allow them to be used for oil adsorption. Oil spills can destroy marine aquatic life and have a great impact on environment. In this study coir pith have been treated enzymatically (Lipase, Protease & Glucanase) and chemically (Acetylation) to impart hydrophobicity and to enhance oil adsorption capacity. The coir pith samples were characterized periodically by FTIR, SEM. The extent of acetylation was evaluated by weight percent gain.The results suggests that acetylated coir pith could be beneficial in oil adsorption and potentially provide a low cost environmentally friend adsorbent for oil spill.

Ecofriendly Organosolv Process for Pulping of Tender Coconut Fibre Jincy, P. J.; Ravindranath, Anita Das; Sarma, U. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 31 No 1 (2015): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

The huge biomass generated by vendors of tender coconut is the broken husks refuse dumped along roads and highways in Kerala. These dumps become breeding grounds for diseased causing germs and carrier mosquitoes causing threat to human life. In order to avoid pollution and find use of the rejected biomass of tender husks, a study was carried out on pulping of tender coconut husk fibre which could be used for papermaking. The optimum pulping condition, the quality of the pulp and its yield was evaluated using different variables like time and temperature. It was observed that the organosolv process could efficiently remove lignin from the tender coconut fibre yielding maximum cellulose. During the traditional pulping processes such as Kraft pulping to isolate the cellulose fibers for the production of paper, the hemicellulose and lignin fractions are degraded, limiting their valorization possibilities. Organosolv pulping has been advocated as the environmentally benign version of the kraft process. Unlike other pretreatment methods, organic solvents can easily be recycled and reused. The lignin dissolved by organosolv pulping is easily recovered by dilution and is unsulphonated and relatively unmodified. Products like handmade paper, egg cartons, handicraft items, garden articles like paper pots could be made from the organasolv pulp of tender coconut husk fibre.

Characterisation of Silver Deposited Coir Fibers by Magnetron Sputtering Chandy, Melvi; Sarma, U. S.; Latha, M. S.; Kumar, K. Shreekrishna
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 31 No 1 (2015): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Silver thin films are extensively used due to their superior optical, electrical and antimicrobial properties. Recent development in the incorporation silver thin films on natural fibers makes it possible to utilize its excellent physical and chemical properties in the field of textiles. Present study focuses on the surface functionalization of natural coir fiber with silver thin film by magnetron sputtering. This will help to widen the use of natural coir fibers. The surface morphology of the coated coir fibers are investigated by employing a scanning electron microscope. The results show that the surface functionalization of silver-coated coir fibers are highly versatile, and it possess excellent protection against ultraviolet radiation, exhibit excellent hydrophobicity (contact angle=105.2°) and good antibacterial effects. This study demonstrates that treatment, which uses silver thin films by magnetron sputtering, is a promising method for achieving multifunctional coir fabrics.

Nanocellulose from Diseased Coconut Wood Biomass Jayaraj, A. P.; Ravindranath, Anita Das; Sarma, U. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 30 No 1 (2014): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Cellulose is the most widespread biopolymer on earth. In biosynthesis, cellulose polymers aggregate to form substructures, microfibrils, which in turn aggregate to form cellulose fibers. By applying effective methods these fibers can be disintegrated into cellulose substructures with micro- or nano-size dimensions. This article covers some aspects related to the sources of cellulose micro- and nanofibers and the most important methods for their isolation. One of these methods, acid hydrolysis, was experimentally used to obtain cellulose nano-fibers from diseased coconut wood biomass. They were studied by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Scanning electrom microscope (SEM). The ‘Replanting and Rejuvenation of Coconut Gardens’ was the sponsored scheme of the Coconut Development Board with an objective to eliminate all disease- affected coconut palms in eight districts of Kerala state in India. The main components of the scheme included cutting and removal of all old, unproductive and disease-hit palms followed by a replanting exercise. The present work was carried out under the Board sponsored project entitled “Diversified uses of diseased coconut wood”.

Quantitative Evaluation of the Production of Ligninolytic Enzymes-Lignin Peroxidase and Manganese Peroxidase by P. Sajor Caju During Coir Pith Composting Radhakrishnan, S.; Ravindranath, Anita Das; Hanosh, M. S.; Sarma, U. S.; Jayakumaran, Nair A.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 28 No 1 (2012): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Coir is the natural hard fruit fibre extracted from the exocarp of the coconut. The fibre has over 40 percent lignin and is spun into yarn and rope. Coir is used globally for manufacturing floor coverings as home furnishing. The Coir Industry enjoys the status as the largest cottage industry in Kerala giving employment to over a million people, of which 80 percent constitute women. Coir pith is a biomass residue generated during the extraction of coir fibre from coconut husk. Coir pith produced during coir fibre extraction is of environmental concern as its dumping on shore line and leaching of its constituents alter water quality and aquatic life. Management of coir pith is a major problem with all coir industrialists. Hillocks of coir pith accumulate in the vicinities of coir fibre extraction units in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Orissa. These agricultural wastes have traditionally been disposed by burning which resulted in various environmental problems. Therefore, composting is an alternate way to dispose coir pith and is of critical importance. Ligninolytic enzyme production during coir pith composting by Pleurotus sajor caju has been studied in detail. Pleurotus sajor caju produces oxidative enzymes which degrade lignin in the presence of urea as nitrogen source. Substitution of urea with vegetative sources has resulted in the vigorous growth of the mushroom which leads to decreased lignin content and C: N ratio in the biodegraded coir pith. Combination of Azolla and Soya hulls as biological supplements was observed to be the best substitute for lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase production. Activity of manganese peroxidase and lignin peroxidase was maximum on the twentieth day of fermentation of coir pith. The level of enzyme activity during biological composting using vegetative sources was compared with the conventional process using urea. The enzyme profile exhibited variation with change in substrate and duration of decomposition. The colonization of Pleurotus sajor caju by its utilization leads to biochemical changes in coir pith converting it into an ideal plant nutrient.

Azolla & Soya Hulls-Substitutes for Urea in Coir Pith Composting Using Pleurotus Sajor Caju Radhakrishnan, S.; Ravindranath, Anita Das; Sarma, U. S.; Jayakumaran, Nair A.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 27 No 2 (2011): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Bio composting process is the available means of converting various organic wastes generated from the industry and the agricultural sectors into beneficial products such as biofertilizers and as a soil conditioners. The unique feature of these agricultural wastes are their organic content, pH, and high C: N ratio. Coir pith is a biomass residue obtained during the extraction of coir fibre from coconut husk. Accumulation of coir pith leads to an environmental concern and its management is a major problem with all coir industrialists. The high quantum of its production and the difficulties experienced in its disposal have tended to create a major problem of pollution of large areas of land and water in coir fiber extraction units. Therefore, biodegradation of coir pith is an essential requirement to control pollution. Coir pith, even though a problematic waste; it is a potential wealth when it is converted into valuable organic manure by microbial degradation. A method of composting of coir pith with urea has been developed by Coir Board, India using a fungus viz., Pleurotus sajor caju commercially known as Pithplus. Application of urea releases higher concentration of ammonia in the soil making it more acidic and retards soil natural fertility. Hence an alternative cost effective nitrogen supplement needs to be developed as a substitute to urea for composting of coir pith. The present study aims at the formulation of bio organic manure from coir pith avoiding inorganic urea in the composting. Overall assessment on the physico chemical properties of the biodegraded coir pith leads to the conclusion that a combination of Azolla and Soya hulls (2:1 ratio) was found to be efficient in lignin degradation and contribute to novel changes in coir pith

Enhancement of Properties of Coir Geotextiles by Natural Rubber Latex Coating Nair, Lekshmi; Ravi, P. K.; Sarma, U. S.
International Coconut Community Journal Vol 27 No 1 (2011): CORD
Publisher : International Coconut Community

Coir geotextiles find application in revegetation of slopes by stabilizing the soil through erosion control. It has been found that the longevity of coir geotextiles although highest among all the natural fibres, it is required to last for at least 5 years so as to sustain the vegetation on the slopes for a long term solution. Normally it is found that coir geotextiles lose their 50% strength in 6 months in contact with soil, therefore it is required to strengthen the coir geotextiles. This work involves the coating of coir geotextiles with natural rubber latex which could enhance the longevity of coir geotextiles in various civil/bio engineering applications. The rubber latex coated coir geotextiles which are eco-friendly have superior mechanical properties and better durability compared to the conventional uncoated coir geotextiles. This paper reports the coating of coir geotextile using natural rubber latex and a comparative study of the physical and mechanical properties of the treated and untreated coir geotextiles.

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