MORPHOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERISATION OF BANANA FIBRE AS INFLUENCED BY WATER RETTING DURATION FOR SUSTAINABLE TEXTILES

Banana fibre, extracted from the pseudostem of Musa species, offers a promising sustainable alternative for textile applications. This study examines the influence of water retting duration on fibre yield, tensile strength, and morphological properties to optimise processing for eco-friendly textile production. Banana sheaths were retted for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 days. Fibre yield increased from 4.3% to 8.8% with extended retting, due to microbial breakdown of non-cellulosic components that facilitate fibre separation. However, tensile strength declined slightly from 7.50 to 7.32, suggesting that excessive retting may weaken fibre integrity. An optimal retting period of 6 – 8 days achieved a balance between high yield and mechanical strength. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the fibres have a cylindrical surface morphology, giving them a natural lustre similar to man-made fibres. The internal porosity supports superior dye uptake and moisture management, while minimal surface scaling allows smoother processing and better yarn uniformity. These findings demonstrate banana fibre’s potential as a viable raw material for sustainable fashion and technical textiles. The study recommends standardising retting protocols and exploring complementary fibre-enhancement techniques to improve commercial viability and consistency.