False Banana (Enset Ventricosum) Fibers: An Emerging Natural Fiber with Distinct Properties, Promising Potentials, Challenges and Future Prospects–A Critical Review

ABSTRACT

Current research and design initiatives are cautiously focused on the use of natural fibers from agricultural waste, as they can generate financial gains, improve crop sustainability, and effectively address environmental issues. In Ethiopia, an estimated 100–million Enset plants are harvested annually for their starchy food, providing 20% of the population. This process generates approximately 150,000 tons of Enset fiber, which researchers are actively investigating as a promising and eco-friendly fiber source. Fibers from the Enset plant have been investigated for their potential use in various applications, particularly as materials for cellulosic nanocrystals, paper, and composites production. However, the potential of Enset fiber remains largely untapped due to the limited understanding of its properties, and the inconsistencies in the data reported by previous studies regarding its chemical, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Therefore, it is crucial to organize the data for researchers and manufacturers to make informed decisions regarding future studies and applications of this fiber. This review discusses recent research on the unique properties of Enset fibers, their potential as green composites, and their potential for paper and cellulosic nanocrystals as an alternative to natural fibers. The review also unveils the challenges of Enset fibers in advanced applications and suggests future research avenues.

摘要

研究和设计谨慎地关注农业废弃物中天然纤维的使用，因为它们可以产生经济收益，提高作物的可持续性，并最终导致环境问题. 在埃塞俄比亚，估计每年有1亿株Enset植物被收割作为淀粉类食物，占总人口的20%. 这一过程产生了约150000吨Enset纤维，科学家们正在探索将其作为可持续和环保的纤维来源. Enset工厂的纤维已被研究用于各种应用，特别是作为纤维素纳米晶体、纸张和复合材料生产的材料. 然而，先前学者报道的关于Enset纤维的化学、物理、机械和热性能值的不一致数据存在问题. 因此，组织数据对于研究人员和制造商就这种纤维的未来研究和应用做出明智的决定至关重要. 这篇综述讨论了最近对Enset纤维的独特性能、其作为绿色复合材料的潜力以及其作为天然纤维替代品的纸张和纤维素纳米晶体的潜力的研究. 该综述还揭示了Enset纤维在高级应用中的挑战，并提出了未来的研究途径.

KEYWORDS:

• Enset fibers
• False banana fibers
• Distinct properties
• Promising potentials
• Green composites
• Paperproduction
• Cellulosic nanocrystals
• Bioplastics

关键词:

• 纤维
• 不同的特性
• 有希望的潜力
• 绿色复合材料
• 造纸术
• 纤维素纳米晶体

Acknowledgments

The author expresses gratitude to the almighty of God for allowing him to conduct a review with good sprite and health.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Supplemental data

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2024.2311303.

Additional information

Funding

This review did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not for profit sectors.