PLANT FIBERS - BOTANY, CHEMISTRY AND PROCESSING FOR INDUSTRIAL USE

Fibres from plant sources have been used by man for many generations a nd there is increasing interest in the potential use of such fibres fr om non-tree sources for various applications. This review brings toget her most of the relevant literature on the botany, chemistry and proce ssing. The different cell types are explained and those which produce fibres are highlighted in conjunction with the actual plants involved. The chemistry of the plant cell wall is addressed with special consid eration to the components of fibre cell walls and the biosynthesis, wh ere known, is explained. Finally, the various methods for processing f ibres into valuable industrial raw materials are detailed along with s ome prospective new technologies.