PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF EXTRACTED SISAL LEAVES FIBER (<i>Agave sisalana</i>) FOR SUSTAINABLE FOOD PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

This paper evaluates some physical and chemical properties of extracted sisal hemp leaves fiber for its possible utilization in food packaging applications. The fiber was extracted from Agave sisalana leaves obtained locally in a government forest reserves Area, Adamawa state, Nigeria using water retting extraction procedure. Studies were carried out on its physical and chemical properties relevant to food packaging applications. The parameters evaluated were Moisture absorption ranging from (3.00 % to 3.17 %), density ranging from (0.610 g/cm3 to 3.167 g/cm3), fiber diameter which was found to range between (1.933 µm to 2.50 µm), lumen width ranged between (1.00 µm to 1.50 µm), from a wall thickness of (0.50 µm. Proximate analysis was carried out for cellulose content, hemicelluloses, lignin and ash content which was found to range between 70.00 % to 83.33 %, 16.67 % to 23.33 %, 55.00 % to 75.00 % and 30.00 % to 30.50 % respectively. Statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) was used to determine significantly different means, and the (ANOVA) table and bar chart for chemical compositions were constructed from which observations, conclusions and recommendations were made. The results show that agave sisalana leaves fiber were characterized by low density, high cellulose content, and low moisture absorbency in comparison with other leave fibers in its category. Therefore, it is recommended for possible utilization in pulp and paper making, food packaging containers, textile, and automobile products such as brake parts, and car interior.