Production of handmade polished paper from maize cobs and its blends with waste paper.

Abstract

Maize cobs are a by-product of the maize crop (Zea Mays L. [Poaceae n, consisting of the central fibrous rachis of the female inflorescence (the maize "ear"). While the whole maize ear (with the grains, with or without the husks) is also sometimes called a maize cob, this data sheet concerns only the maize cob without the grains and basically how we can add value to them through making handmade paper. Since this waste (maize cobs) is highly fibrous material, it is normally used for a number of industrial and agricultural applications like as fuel, litter for poultry and other animals, mulch, soil conditioner and as fodder for ruminants despite their low nutritive value (Evers et aI., 1994; Jansen, 2012). While their absorbency and abrasiveness makes them useful for several industrial applications that is; absorb finishing fluids (oil and water) in industrial applications and also help to clean up industrial or environmental spins. They are excellent earners for vitamins and antibiotics in animal feed, and for herbicides and pesticides in lawn care products. They are used for the production of chemicals such as furfural or the sugar replacement xylitoL Maize cobs are used to blast and polish many materials, from jewelry, nuts and bolts. to golf club heads. More recently, maize cobs were reported to be a potential cheap and promising source for sustainable energy production (Evers et at, 1994; Jansen, 2012; Gohl, 1982). In addition, maize cobs are a feed ingredient of low nutritive value, roughly similar to straw or poor bay. They also contain little protein (about 5% DM) and are mostly composed of fiber (NDF more than 80% DM). However, the lignin content is relatively low fat: such a fibrous product. During paper making, we initially add deligning components like NaOH or KOH to the crushed cobs in order to totally eliminate the lignin component and then follow the standard procedure for handmade paper making (Kraft pulping process). Through handmade paper making, we shall be able to make highly value-able products made of hard and soft paper from maize cobs like egg-trays, soft boards, hardboards, particle boards as well as plain paper with various chemical (bio-degradable) and non-chemical surface finishes for making paper bags, printing papers, cover papers and box. papers. This handmade paper making technology will therefore provide a cost-effective means of making paper for various products since the maize cobs are readily available from the local maize processing finns/mills. It will also reduce on the need to use wood pulp for paper making which has greatly caused deforestation in the practicing countries.