The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.This record contains an extended abstract accepted under Integrated Crop Management
Enzymatic processing of Agave sisalana and Ananas comosus plant fibres and fibre waste for diversified use
Abstract:
This study is being carried out to (i) characterise and explore
the use of enzymes as an alternative method of fibre softening
for sisal (Agave sisalana) and pineapple (Ananas comosus)
leaves, (ii) determine the fabric hand on sisal jewelry after resin
application, and (iii) develop and analyse a non-woven structure
from the waste of treated Agave sisalana and Ananas
comosus fibres in order to diversify current uses. Experiments
will be conducted on enzymatic treatment of fibres from the
afore-mentioned leaves. Application of resins will improve the
texture of wearable Agave sisalana and Ananas comosus
products. Results will contribute towards comfort in wearing
sisal products and subsequent product demand. The emergence
of local entrepreneurship in new undertakings such as
environmentally sensitive manufacturing, value-added
processing of agricultural output and commerce-related
opportunities is deemed essential in government’s striving to
reduce unemployment and create wealth.
Cette étude est réalisée avec les objectifs suivants: (i)
caractériser et explorer l’utilisation d’enzymes comme une
méthode alternative d’adoucissement de fibres de sisal (Agave
sisalana) et des feuilles d’ananas (Ananascomosus), (ii)
déterminer la main du tissu sur les bijoux en sisal après
l’application de la résine et (iii) élaborer et analyser une structure
non-tissée à partir des déchets des fibres traitées d’Agave
sisalana et d’Ananascomosus afin de diversifier les utilisations
actuelles. Des expériences seront menées sur le traitement
enzymatique des fibres à partir des feuilles susmentionnées.
L’application des résines permettra d’améliorer la texture de
produits portables d’Agave sisalana et d’Ananascomosus. Les
résultats contribueront au confort de porter des produits de sisal
et de la demande ultérieure des produits. L’émergence del’entrepreneuriat local à des entreprises nouvelles telles que la
fabrication environnementalement sensible, la transformation à
valeur ajoutée de la production agricole et les opportunités liées
au commerce, est considérée comme essentielle dans l’effort
du gouvernement pour réduire le chômage et créer de la
richesse.
Language:
English
Extended abstracts submitted under Integrated Crop Management
Date of publication:
2012
Country:
Region Focus:
Southern Africa
Collection:
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Agris Subject Categories:
Agrovoc terms:
Additional keywords:
Licence conditions:
Open Access
Access restriction:
Form:
Printed resource
Publisher:
ISSN:
E_ISSN:
Edition:
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