Puji Rahmawati Nurcahyani, Rowilson Sianturi, Sandra Malin Sutan, La Choviya Hawa, Azizatul Karimah, Muhammad Irfan Bakhsi, Pati Kemala, Arief Heru Prianto, Lee Seng Hua, Apri Heri Iswanto, Petar Antov, Widya Fatriasari
Banana pseudostem (Musa sp.) fibers from 10 Indonesian cultivars were evaluated as candidate renewable sources for biomaterial development. Their physical properties (density and moisture content), mechanical strength (tensile strength and elastic modulus), and chemical composition, including lignin, holocellulose, α-cellulose, and hemicellulose content levels were analyzed. Pyrolysis–gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) was employed to determine the syringyl-to-guaiacyl (S/G) ratio, providing insights into the lignin structure. Among the samples, D20 (Cavendish) showed consistent performance characterized by its high holocellulose content (52.2%), substantial α-cellulose fraction (33.3%), and superior mechanical strength, with a tensile strength of 166 MPa and an elastic modulus of 4480 MPa. Accordingly, this cultivar was selected for further investigation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of lignocellulosic biomass, including hydroxyl, carbonyl, aromatic, and glycosidic linkages. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed semicrystalline cellulose, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated a compact fiber structure with a defined lumen and minimal surface degradation. These findings suggest that fibers from D20 exhibit a promising balance of chemical, structural, and morphological characteristics, supporting their suitability for bio-based composite applications. Overall, this research emphasizes the underutilized potency of local banana waste as a foundation for sustainable material innovation. © 2026, North Carolina State University. All rights reserved.
Research Center for Biomass and Bioproducts, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl Raya Bogor KM 46 Cibinong, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Bioprocess Engineering Study Program, Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Brawijaya University, Indonesia; Food Technology Study Program, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi No. 229, Bandung, 40154, Indonesia; Department of Wood Industry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Pahang Kampus Jengka, Bandar Tun Razak, Malaysia; Department of Forest Product, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Padang Bulan, Medan, 20155, Indonesia; Faculty of Forest Industry, University of Forestry, Sofia, 1797, Bulgaria
