Characterization of Decorticated Agave Americana “Marginata” Fibres of Different Leaf Levels from Lanet and Tigoni, Kenya
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Date
2021
Authors
Mbugua, Gladwell
Tumuti, Dinah
Thoruwa, Carolline
Nguku, Everylyn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge
Abstract
Agave americana “Marginata” plant has commercial and industrial potential ranging from textiles, paper
making and composites for the automotive industry. The purpose of this study therefore aimed at characterizing
the physical and mechanical properties of decorticated agave americana “Marginata” fibres from three plant
leaf levels from Lanet and Tigoni areas. The two areas have distinctive soil and climatic conditions. Tigoni has a
cooler climate, with no dry season or warm summer due to its high altitude while Lanet has a dry sub-humid
equatorial climate. The leaves were purposively harvested from each plant ensuring they were sampled from
three levels in both locations. The leaves were then subjected to a decortication process to extract the fibres and
randomly assigned to experimental tests. The research findings revealed that, the fibre properties were
influenced by the position of the leaf on the plant, however the locations of plant growth did not have much
influence on the fibre properties.
Description
An Article Published in International Journal of Innovative Research and Knowledge
Keywords
Mechanical, Physical and Chemical properties, Agave Americana “Marginata”, Leaf levels.