Multi-Objective Optimization of Mechanical Properties of Banana Pseudostem Fibers Using Sludge Retting Pretreatment

Dong Liang, Zeqin Yang, Wei Fu, Yijun Shen (), Shaojie Yu, Wei Zeng and Ji Liu
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Dong Liang: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Zeqin Yang: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Wei Fu: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Yijun Shen: State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Shaojie Yu: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Wei Zeng: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
Ji Liu: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering College, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 19, 1-21

Abstract: In this study, sludge retting was used as a pretreatment method for extracting banana pseudostem fibers. A Box–Behnken response surface design was employed to optimize the retting conditions. Three variables— Bacillus subtilis concentration, treatment time, and pH—were selected for analysis. Their effects on the mechanical properties of the fibers were systematically evaluated. Experimental data were analyzed using ANOVA in Design-Expert 13, and a regression model was established for parameter optimization. The optimal conditions were determined to be a Bacillus subtilis concentration of 1.18%, a treatment time of 20 days, and a pH of 7. Under these conditions, the tensile strength, elastic modulus, and elongation at break of the fibers reached 1161.63 MPa, 50.68 GPa, and 2.32%, respectively—representing improvements of 46.23%, 42.48%, and 34.1% compared to untreated samples. In addition, the fibers were analyzed using SEM, TGA-DTG, FTIR, and XRD to investigate changes in surface topography, thermal behavior, chemical bonding, and crystalline structure. Results showed that sludge retting effectively removed non-cellulosic components, enhanced thermal stability and crystallinity, and significantly improved the mechanical performance of the fibers. This study demonstrates that sludge retting is a green and sustainable pretreatment technique with strong potential for banana pseudostem fiber processing.

Keywords: sludge retting; banana pseudostem fiber; parameter optimization; mechanical properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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