Influence of gin trash bacteria broth treatment on cotton fibres

Abstract

Purpose Bacterial exopolysaccharides (eps) have fascinating chemical compositions, properties and structures which could be used in the modification of natural fibres. Bacterial eps have therefore been used to modify plant cellulose fibre surface and impart desired properties. The purpose of this paper is therefore to investigate the influence of gin trash cultured bacteria eps on the physical and structural properties of cotton fibres.

Design/methodology/approach Gin trash soil sample was collected from a ginnery in Kenya, and physiochemical and microbial characterization was done. The soil sample was then fermented for 24 h before being used to treat raw cotton fibres at varied conditions of temperature, pH and treatment time periods. Physical and structural properties of the treated fibres were then determined using USTER HVI-1000 M700, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) and compared with those of the raw fibres.

Findings The bacteria broth treated fibres were found to have increased in strength, spinning consistency index, elongation and fineness by 25.44, 24.30, 11.70 and 3.60%, respectively. The variations were attributed to interactions of bacterial eps with cotton cellulose through hydrogen bonding. SEM and XRD analysis revealed an increase in fibre surface roughness and crystallinity, respectively.

Originality/value Bacterial eps have been used to modify plant cellulose fibre surface and impart desired properties. Eps producing bacteria have been isolated from different habitats such as saline water, soil samples, food wastes and petroleum-contaminated soil. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, bacterial eps cultured from gin trash soil sample for modification of cotton fibres have however not been previously done, hence the originality of the current study.