Laboratoire d’Etude et de Recherche en Chimie Appliquée- Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 2009 Cotonou, Ben, Benin
Pineapple leaves are usually buried or left to rot in the fields after the fruit is harvested. The aim of this study to harness the potential of plant fibers present in pineapple leaves to product hair strands. in order to reduce the dependence on synthetic resources derived from petroleum, which are often used in the production of strands. conventional capillaries. The methodology used includes several essential steps. First, the fibers are extracted manually. The fibers are then bleached using a 6% aqueous NaOH solution for 6 hours to remove any unwanted pigmentation, increase their versatility and achieve an optimal balance between whiteness and strength. The fibers were colored with natural indigo-based dyes. Color saturation and different shades are obtained by letting them soak for between 45 and 90 min. Finally, the colored fibers are immersed in a mixture of beeswax (90%) and paraffin (10%) to significantly improve their flexibility and water resistance. The wicks thus obtained have appreciable aesthetic and mechanical characteristics which are beneficial for the preservation of the environment.
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