CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF ALOE FIBRE

Aloe is very coarse or stiff in comparison with jute. In this investigation attempts have been made to find out the cause from a study of its chemical composition. It has been observed that the fibre contains a remarkably low lignin content and a high fat and a-cellulose contents contradicting the belief that the stiffness of lignocellulosic fibre is due to its high lignin, low fat and α-cellulose contents. From the study of the chemical composition of Hibiscus cannabinus fibres it appears that the stiffness of the Aloe fibte is due to its high xylan and polyuronides contents and not to its lignin; s-cellulose or fat contents.