Physical and Mechanical Properties of Sansevieria trifasciata Fibers as Influenced by Gibberellic Acid Treatment

The environmental impact of synthetic fibers has driven demand for sustainable alternatives like Sansevieria trifasciata, an underutilized plant with potential for textile and composite applications. This study evaluated the effects of GA₃ concentrations (0, 100, 300, 500 µg/mL) and application frequencies (once or twice weekly) on the physical (length, fineness) and the mechanical (breaking strength, elongation) properties of S. trifasciata fibers. Using a completely randomized design, 240 leaf explants were treated for three months in a pot culture experiment in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Fibers were extracted via water retting and tested at the Philippine Textile Research Institute. Single GA₃ applications increased fiber length, with 300 µg/mL producing the longest fibers, likely due to enhanced cell elongation. Twice-weekly applications increased fiber fineness (higher denier), peaking at 100 µg/mL, yielding coarser fibers suitable for robust textiles. Breaking strength was highest in untreated fibers and 100 µg/mL treatments, but 300 µg/mL significantly reduced strength, indicating a trade-off with length. Elongation, a measure of elasticity, was maximized at 100 µg/mL (once weekly), ideal for flexible textiles. The 100 µg/mL concentration optimized fineness, strength, and elongation, while 300 µg/mL favored length, demonstrating GA₃’s versatility in tailoring fiber properties. These findings highlight GA₃’s potential to enhance S. trifasciata fiber quality, positioning it as a sustainable alternative to abaca in the Philippines. Future research should investigate GA₃ application timing across growth stages and conduct commercial-scale trials to assess scalability and economic viability.