Authors:Preet Tyagi; Singh, D.K; Tyagi, V.K; Amita Malik; Diwan, R.K; Niyogi, U.K; Khandal, R.K
Abstract:At present, hygiene pads (sanitary napkins and incontinence pads) are produced from wood cellulose and synthetic absorbent polymers (non-biodegradable). A feasibility study utilizing fibers of two Indian bamboo species, Oxytenallthera stocksii and Bambllsa bambos for making hygiene pads was undertaken. Digestion studies on bamboo chips as well as bamboo cuttings originate during manufacturing of bamboo mats were carried out at two different temperatures and pressures to obtain the fibers of desired performance, and process was optimized for both the species. Due to higher lignin content in bamboo, the steps of bleaching were optimized to obtain brightness of up to 75 per cent to meet the requirement of aesthetic appeal of hygiene pads. The study has demonstrated that the properties like absorbency, water retention and rewet behaviour essential for the hygiene pads can be achieved using bamboo fibers which are comparable to those of hygiene pads based on wood pulp.
Keywords:absorption; bamboos; cellulose; lignin; plant fibres;