The Study of Anatomy and Fiber Banana Leaf as a Potensial Wrapping

Abstract

The aims of this research were to study the leaf anatomy of Musa brachycarpa , M. Paradisiacal normalis, M. sapientum and M. cavendishi as well as the length, width, and thickness of the leaf and the number, diameter, and tensile strength of leaf fibers. Samples were collected in Dampit, Wajak and Batu, Malang. Indonesia. The criteria for leaf samples were that they were fresh, mature, and not torn. Microscope slides used for anatomical observations were prepared using a semi-permanent method. The Retting method was applied to extract the fibers, and fiber strength was measured using a tensile strength tester. One way Anova and the Duncan test were used to establish the mean and other parameters of the dependent variables (length-, width-, thick-leaf; number-, diameter-, and tensile strength of fiber). The T-test (independent sample) was used to determine the mean diameter of fiber in adaxial and abaxial sites. The results showed that M. Brachycarpa had the highest number of fiber cells, a wider diameter fiber, and more adaxial fiber cells than the abaxial site. The diameter of fibers was 5-6 μ m. M. sapietum had the longest and widest leaves and leaf thickness was highest in M. Paradisiaca . The tensile strength values ranged from 35 × 10 -4 -48 × 10 -4 MPa. The tensile strength of the observed species did not differ significantly.