Valorization of Byproducts of Hemp Multipurpose Crop: Short Non-Aligned Bast Fibers as a Source of Nanocellulose

Nanocellulose was extracted from short bast fibers, from hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plants harvested at seed maturity, non-retted, and mechanically decorticated in a defibering apparatus, giving non-aligned fibers. A chemical pretreatment with NaOH and HCl allowed the removal of most of the non-cellulosic components of the fibers. No bleaching was performed. The chemically pretreated fibers were then refined in a beater and treated with a cellulase enzyme, followed by mechanical defibrillation in an ultrafine friction grinder. The fibers were characterized by microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffraction after each step of the process to understand the evolution of their morphology and composition. The obtained nanocellulose suspension was composed of short nanofibrils with widths of 5–12 nm, stacks of nanofibrils with widths of 20–200 nm, and some larger fibers. The crystallinity index was found to increase from 74% for the raw fibers to 80% for the nanocellulose. The nanocellulose retained a yellowish color, indicating the presence of some residual lignin. The properties of the nanopaper prepared with the hemp nanocellulose were similar to those of nanopapers prepared with wood pulp-derived rod-like nanofibrils.

Extraction of cellulose fibers from flax and hemp: a review

The paper is a review on the extraction processes of cellulosic fibers from flax and hemp. The two lignocellulosic crops have a long history of use by humans for extraction of the bast fibers among other purposes. The utility of bast fibers declined over time with industrial advances and changes to the economy, but of late, with an increase of focus on environmental impact and sustainability, there is a renewed interest in these resources. The use of biomass-based resource requires an appreciation of plant anatomy and the agronomical variables in their cultivation and harvesting. This review provides an overview of these aspects as well as of the processes of retting for initial weakening of the plant structure in preparation for fiber extraction, degumming to isolate fiber bundles, and delignification.

Immunohistochemical analyses on two distinct internodes of stinging nettle show different distribution of polysaccharides and proteins in the cell walls of bast fibers

Stinging nettle is a perennial herbaceous species holding value as a multi-purpose plant. Indeed, its leaves and roots are phytofactories providing functional ingredients of medicinal interest and its stems produce silky and resistant extraxylary fibers (a.k.a. bast fibers) valued in the biocomposite sector. Similarly to what is reported in other fiber crops, the stem of nettle contains both lignified and hypolignified fibers in the core and cortex, respectively, and it is therefore a useful model for cell wall research. Indeed, data on nettle stem tissues can be compared to those obtained in other models, such as hemp and flax, to support hypotheses on the differentiation and development of bast fibers. The suitability of the nettle stem as model for cell wall-related research was already validated using a transcriptomics and biochemical approach focused on internodes at different developmental stages sampled at the top, middle, and bottom of the stem. We here sought to complement and enrich these data by providing immunohistochemical and ultrastructural details on young and older stem internodes. Antibodies recognizing non-cellulosic polysaccharides (galactans, arabinans, rhamnogalacturonans) and arabinogalactan proteins were here investigated with the goal of understanding whether their distribution changes in the stem tissues in relation to the bast fiber and vascular tissue development. The results obtained indicate that the occurrence and distribution of cell wall polysaccharides and proteins differ between young and older internodes and that these changes are particularly evident in the bast fibers.

Modern Aspects of Bast Fiber Production in the Genesis of Bast Fiber Culture Selection

The main goal of the rational use of bast fiber raw materials is to develop and apply optimal methods of its processing. Work on the creation of such technologies is carried out by leading scientists of the industry in accordance with three main areas of research: the search for ways to increase the yield of long flax fiber and improve its consumer properties by using various methods of ennobling; improving the methods to unfold bundles of technical fibers and obtain elementary bast fibers (cotonized fiber); and integrating the use of waste from primary processing of bast-fiber raw materials based on existing hydrolysis and thermal decomposition technologies. However, with some exceptions, the vast majority of research is limited to laboratory experiments, largely because the bast stem is a very complex composite. This raises a number of questions for researchers. In varieties and breeding samples with high fiber quality, the total fatty acid content is higher, and the ratio of total saturated acids to unsaturated acids is lower. A method for evaluating The selection material of the same flax based on fiber quality and lodging resistance is based on determining the total content of fatty acids and total lipids and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in flax stalks and seeds. Subsequent comparison of the obtained indicators of the studied selection material was according to the indicators of the standard variety. Keywords: bast fibers, genesis, selection, chemical composition, physical and mechanical properties, non-cellulose components

Improvement of Performance Profile of Acrylic Based Polyester Bio-Composites by Bast/Basalt Fibers Hybridization for Automotive Applications

New technologies in the automotive industry require lightweight, environment-friendly, and mechanically strong materials. Bast fibers such as kenaf, flax, and hemp reinforced polymers are frequently used composites in semi-structural applications in industry. However, the low mechanical properties of bast fibers limit the applications of these composites in structural applications. The work presented here aims to enhance the mechanical property profile of bast fiber reinforced acrylic-based polyester resin composites by hybridization with basalt fibers. The hybridization was studied in three resin forms, solution, dispersion, and a mixture of solution and dispersion resin forms. The composites were prepared by established processing methods such as carding, resin impregnation, and compression molding. The composites were characterized for their mechanical (tensile, flexural, and Charpy impact strength), thermal, and morphological properties. The mechanical performance of hybrid bast/basalt fiber composites was significantly improved compared to their respective bast fiber composites. For hybrid composites, the specific flexural modulus and strength were on an average about 21 and 19% higher, specific tensile modulus and strength about 31 and 16% higher, respectively, and the specific impact energy was 13% higher than bast fiber reinforced composites. The statistical significance of the results was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance.