Extraction of Wax from Banana Plant Residue

Extraction of Wax from Banana Plant Residue

Author Name : Sharmini S, Priya R Iyer

ABSTRACT

In general, Banana cultivation generates enormous agricultural residues which can be utilized as biomass resource. This study shows the utilization of banana leaves and peels as potential source of wax aiding to reduction in agricultural pollution caused by dumping of agricultural residue and as an alternate to other chemical and plant-based waxes. The extraction of wax from Leaves and peels of ABB subgroup (KARPURAVALLI), Musa paradisiaca (plantain) and silk AAB subgroup (RASTHALI) was done using solvent extraction. The wax yield was 0.2-0.6g from 10-15g of banana leaves according to moisture content and wax recovered from banana peels was around 0.2-0.5g from 20-25g of banana peels. The general properties like melting point, solubility, structure, stability and cytotoxic activity were examined in this study. The obtained results showed that the characteristics of extracted wax is highly similar to that of carnauba wax which is the most commercial natural wax. Therefore, banana leaves and peels can be used as potent source of natural wax which can be used as a coating agent on paper, cloth and eatables etc. These findings will be a great help to industries because we are in need of a coating agent which will increase the product’s shelf life by retaining its moisture content.

Key words: banana plant residue, epicuticular wax, Musa spp, carnauba wax, coating agent.