Abstract
Hard fibers are tissues obtained by decorticating leaves of various monocots, including sisal and abaca. These fibers have traditionally been used in cordage applications (rope, burlap, etc.), but they are also pulped and used in the paper industry for making specialty papers including currency, tea bags, and other products requiring high tensile strength. We examined fiber properties of several genera of Agavaceae from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico to determine their potential for paper making. Leaf samples of species ofAgave, Dasylirion, Hesperaloe, Nolina, and Yucca were macerated and fiber cell length, width, and wall thickness were measured. Several species ofHesperaloe andYucca have fibers that are as long or longer (>3 mm) and narrower (<20 µ) than those of sisal. Species ofAgave, Dasylirion, and,Nolina have shorter fibers (mostly 1.5 mm). Species ofHesperaloe andYucca would appear to be most suitable for paper making.
Resumen
Las fibras duras son tejidos que se obtienen descortezando las hojas de varias monocotiledoneas, incluidos el sisal y la abaca. Estas fibras has sido usadas, tradicionalmente, en cordages (soga, arpillera, etc.), pero también son hechas pulpa y utilizadas en la industria del papel para papeles especiales incluyendo el papel moneda, bolsitas de te, y otros productos que requieren alto potenciál de extensibilidad. Hemos examinado las propiedades de la célula-fibra de varios géneros de Agavaceae del sudoeste de Estados Unidos y norte de México para determinar su potenciál para la productión de papel. Las muestras de hojas de especies deAgave, Dasylirion, Hesperaloe, Nolina, yYucca, fueron maceradas y se midieron el largo, el ancho y el espesor de la pared de la célula de la fibra. Varias especies deHesperaloe yYucca presentan fibras que son tan largas y aún mas largas (>3 mm) y mas angostas (<20 µ) que las del sisal. Las especies deAgave, Dasylirion, yNolina tienen fibras mas cortas (en general <1.5 mm). Las especies de Hesperaloe y Yucca parecerían ser las mas apropiadas para la productión de papel.
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McLaughlin, S.P., Schuck, S.M. Fiber properties of several species of agavaceae from the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. Econ Bot 45, 480–486 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02930710
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02930710