tailieunhanh - Utilization of the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.) in the paper industry

In this study, the chemical composition, fiber morphology, pulp, and paper properties of the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.) were determined. Stem and branch wood were analyzed separately. | Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry Research Article Turk J Agric For (2015) 39: 295-299 © TÜBİTAK doi: Utilization of the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.) in the paper industry Sezgin Koray GÜLSOY*, Ayben KILIÇ PEKGÖZLÜ, Aslı Ceren AKTAŞ Department of Forest Products Engineering, Faculty of Forestry, Bartın University, Bartın, Turkey Received: Accepted: Published Online: Printed: Abstract: In this study, the chemical composition, fiber morphology, pulp, and paper properties of the pomegranate tree (Punica granatum L.) were determined. Stem and branch wood were analyzed separately. Kraft and kraft- anthraquinone (AQ) methods were used for the pulping processes. Stem wood showed superiority to branch wood with longer, wider, thicker-walled fibers. The holocellulose, α-cellulose, and lignin contents of branch and stem wood were –, –, and –, respectively. In addition, the yield of kraft pulp made from stem wood was higher than that of branch wood. However, branch wood handsheets had higher strength properties and brightness than those of stem wood handsheets. Key words: Anthraquinone, branch wood, kraft pulp, Punica granatum L., paper properties, stem wood 1. Introduction Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a small tree with a height of 2–5 m, is native to Central Asia and has been cultivated for centuries in the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, the United States, and South and Central America (Currò et al., 2010). India, Iran, China, and Turkey are the major producers of pomegranate fruit (Kurt and Şahin, 2013). In 2013, pomegranate fruit production in Turkey was estimated to be 383,085 t and the number of pomegranate trees 16,176,000 (). The red pomegranate fruit is mainly consumed fresh or as juice, wines, and extract (Mertens-Talcott et al., 2006). Interest in the pomegranate