Baggasse preservation: A need for a biotechnological approach

Paper is one of the basic needs of modern life. With the consumption of pap er likely to grow to 320 million MT by the year 2001, the the worldwide pul p and paper industry is gradually realizing that there is a shortage of the traditional raw material of cellulosic fiber. Bagasse - a byproduct of the sugar industry, presents a potential source of fiber for the paper industr y without further compromising the environmental concern. It is cheap, pere nnially replenishible, presently does not have an alternative economically attractive value added usage, and has adequate chemical and mechanical prop erties for paper making. However, for it to be available to the paper indus try throughout the year, it needs to be stored and preserved for a period o f 6 to 8 months. With inherent problems associated with bagasse morphology, intricacies reflected as a result of its physicochemical characteristics, army of microbial infestants, cost-effective quality expectations of the pa per industry, and the ecofriendly approach demanded by the society/pollutio n control boards/environmentalists, there does not seem to be any viable al ternative except to use biotechnology approaches for bagasse preservation. It envisages the preservation of maximally depithed bagasse in the piles/he aps, using one-time fine misting of a preservative formulation comprised of biodegradable and nondegradable chemicals inhibiting the microbial populat ion at selected enzyme levels. Its efficacy is improved by open, dry, windy , and moderate sunlit sites for storage. The method is simple, sustainable, and superior to the prevalent methods that are cost, capital, and energy i ntensive, non-eco-friendly and have adverse cost:benefit ratios. The biotec hnology approach has an inherent scope for further optimization, automation , and economization.