LAUSR

The overall aim of this work is to evaluate bio-refinery potential of Enset fiber. The effect of non-catalyzed and alkali-catalyzed hydrothermal processes was investigated to fractionate Enset fiber bundle. The treatments were made at 130 °C, 150 °C, 180 °C, and 200 °C and the composition of the solids regarding lignin and monomeric sugar and of the liquid phase were evaluated. The treated solid was further delignified by using ethanol alkali pulping at 40% ethanol concentration, 15% alkali concentration, 140 °C, 60 min. Temperature-dependent mass loss was observed in both non-catalyzed and catalyzed treatment. The liquor was rich in oligosaccharides with a maximum recovery achieved with the alkali-catalyzed hydrothermal treatment at 130 °C for GOS (12.4 g/100 g of original dry sample) and at 180 °C for XOS (3.4 g/100 g of original dry sample). The fibrous nature of the material was preserved after the treatment. The maximum pulp yield of treated Enset fiber was found to be 61.0% per original sample which is comparable to pulping of original sample 69.1%. Therefore, the hydrothermal treatments can be applied as a first fractionation step in the valorization of Enset fibers, allowing the subsequent use of the solid as a fiber source for pulping.