Extraction of lotus fibres from lotus stems under microwave irradiation

An efficient technology for preparing lotus fibres under microwave irradiation was developed. The lotus fibres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetry. Lotus fibres prepared are a kind of hollow fibres which are composed of a superfine fibre and an external shell. The effect of the treatment time with hydrogen peroxide under microwave irradiation on components, whiteness, moisture regain, removal rate of impurities, fineness, tensile strength and breaking elongation of lotus fibres was investigated. The results show that the cellulose content in lotus fibres increases with increase in treatment time. Whiteness and moisture regain of lotus fibres increase with increase in treatment time with hydrogen peroxide. The removal rate of impurities and the fineness of lotus fibres are improved after they are treated with hydrogen peroxide. Microwave irradiation is supposed to be an efficient method for producing lotus fibres.