ARBAMINCH UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF NATURAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

A project proposal report on

“THE EXTRACTION OF FIBRE FROM SISAL PLANT BY CHEMICAL

PROCESS AND STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND COMFORTABLE
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES FOR APPAREL USE”

In Partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science Degree in

INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY

Submitted by

1. MUKTAR KASSIM* RNS/192/08

2. ERIT SALAHADIN RNS/396/08
3. FIREHIWOT TAMIRAT RNS/532/08
4. ZINASH GIRMA RNS/541/08
5. GASITACHEW SEYOUM RNS/226/08
6. ABEBA ZERU RNS/565/08

ADVISOR CO-ADVISOR
Dr. J. ETHIRAJ

February 1, 2019
 CERTIFICAION

This is to certify that the proposal entitles, THE EXTRACTION OF FIBRE FROM SISAL
PLANT BY CHEMICAL PROCESS AND STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND
COMFORTABLE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES FOR APPAREL USE.

Submitted in partial fulfillment for the Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Degree in Industrial
chemistry of Undergraduate program of Department of chemistry, College of Natural Science,
Arba Minch University, and is a record of the original proposal carried out by MUKTAR
KASSIM ID:RNS/192/08, GASITACHEW SEYOUM ID:RNS/226/08, FIREHIWOT
TAMIRAT ID:RNS/532/08, ZINASH GIRMA ID:RNS/541/08, ERIT SALAHADIN
ID:RNS/396/08, ABEBA ZERU ID:RNS/565/08.The assistance and the help received during
the course of this investigation have been duly acknowledge. Therefore, we recommend that it
would be accepted as fulfilling the BSc research proposal requirement.

Name of Advisors Signature Date

1. ____________ ____________ ____________
2. ____________ ___________ ____________
Name of examiners
1. ___________ ___________ ____________
2. ___________ ___________ ____________

February 1, 2019
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 Table of Contents
CERTIFICAION..............................................................................................................................I

List of tables..................................................................................................................................IV

List of schemes...............................................................................................................................V

Acronyms......................................................................................................................................VI

Abstract............................................................................................................................................1

CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................2

1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................2

1.1. Fibre......................................................................................................................................2

1.1.1. Sisal fiber.......................................................................................................................2

1.2. Fiber extraction.....................................................................................................................3

1.3. Statement of the problem......................................................................................................3

1.4. Objective of the study...........................................................................................................4

1.4.1. General objective...........................................................................................................4

1.4.2. Specific objectives.........................................................................................................4

1.5. Significance of the study.......................................................................................................4

1.6. Scope of the study.................................................................................................................4

CHAPTER TWO.............................................................................................................................5

2. REVIEW OF LETREATURE.....................................................................................................5

2.2. Sources of natural fibres.......................................................................................................5

2.2.1. Vegetable fibers.............................................................................................................5

2.3. Sisal fibre and its extraction procedure.................................................................................6

2.3.1. Fiber Properties..............................................................................................................8

CHAPTER THREE.........................................................................................................................9

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 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS................................................................................................9

3.1. Materials................................................................................................................................9

3.2. Methods.................................................................................................................................9

3.2.1. Preliminary stage...........................................................................................................9

3.2.2. Laboratory stage............................................................................................................9

3.3. Evaluation of fibre................................................................................................................9

3.3.1. Fiber diameter..............................................................................................................10

3.3.2. Fiber length..................................................................................................................10

3.3.3. Moisture absorption properties....................................................................................10

3.3.4. Visual and Hand Evaluation........................................................................................10

3.3.5. Chemical composition of fiber after treatment with NaOH........................................10

3.3.6. Burning Test................................................................................................................10

CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................11

4. WORK AND BUDGET............................................................................................................11

4.1. Work plan............................................................................................................................11

4.2. Budget plan.........................................................................................................................11

References......................................................................................................................................13

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 List of tables

Table 1. Chemical composition of sisal fiber…………………………………………………….8

Table 2. Time schedule for work plan……………………………………………………………
11
Table 3. Schedule for budget plan……………………………………………………………….12

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 List of schemes

Scheme 1. Classification of fibre…………………………………………………………….....5

Scheme 2. Uses of Products of sisal fiber extraction for different purpose…………………….7

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 Acronyms

SEM- Scanning electron microscope

ATR-IR -Attenuated Total Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy

Mpa- mega Pascal

Gpa- giga Pascal

USA-united states of America

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 Abstract

In view of recent global environmental issues, scientists worldwide have begun to show interest
in exploiting the full potential of natural fibers and their diverse uses. Historically fiber is
produced by using retting and mechanical process, which is not efficient in the removal of fibre
compounds. This study will be taken to investigate the chemical and physical character of the
fibre upon extraction by using chemical process. Chemical extraction of fibre have two stages,
preliminary stage and laboratory stage. Primarily attaining maturity, sisal leaves will be
harvested manually by cutting from the leaf base with a sharp specialized crescent like knife
having long handle. The harvested the fibres were thoroughly washed with distilled water and
dried in a vacuum oven pre-set at 80ºC for 24 hours after which raw fibres were sampled. They
were then treated with diethyl ether: Hexane: Ethanol (2:2:1). After the pre-treatment, fibres
were thoroughly washed with distilled water and dried in an oven at 80ºC for 24 hours and the
fibres were then treated with sodium hydroxide and enzymes. After the extraction process will be
completed, the length, diameter, moisture adsorption properties, physical shape, color, the
chemical composition of fibre after treated with NaOH and some other physico-chemical
properties of fibre will be evaluated.

February 1, 2019
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 CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Fibre
Fibres are long strands of molecules inter-connected to form a linear, string-like structure. They
can be natural, synthetic or sometimes semi-synthetic. Natural fibres as bio-based fibres from
vegetable and animal origin. Natural fibres are greatly elongated substances that can be spun into
filaments, thread or rope. This definition of natural fibres includes all natural cellulosic fibres,
such as cotton, jute, sisal, flax, hemp, etc. and protein based fibres such as wool and silk. The
United Nations declared 2009 to be the International year of natural fibres, with the central
objective of promoting the use of natural fibres in current and novel applications, which
contributes to increased levels of income for fibre producers, processors and traders, while at the
same time contributing to the increased use of environmentally friendly materials in those
applications [1].

Products from plants are assuming increasing importance to the economy and wellbeing of any
country. Utilization of plant resources for generating employment in rural areas is natural, cost
effective and ecologically sustainable. Since long time the mankind is associated with natural
fibres and they have been used by them for various purposes and have been incorporated in their
livelihood. Be it basketry, mats or small useful products, appropriate use of the locally available
material is always the solution. India has a vast resource of different natural fibers viz., jute,
sisal, banana, coir etc., which are abundantly available with a production capacity of 400 million
tons per year. Among others, sisal has an edge as it can be grown in wastelands; require
minimum maintenance; withstand in many agro ecological conditions and produces continuous
fiber for seven to eight years. It is usually grown on land that is unsuitable for any other
agricultural activity apart from grazing. Other advantages are that the crop is drought resistant,
does not require the use of fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides, can be inter-cropped and inter-
grazed. For instance, in hundred years of commercial sisal growing in Tanzania there has not
been a year when there was a drought to destroy sisal plants [3].

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 1.1.1. Sisal fiber
Sisal is a vegetable fibre extract from leaves of an Agave (Agave sisalana Perrine), a major
tropical fibre used in agricultural and parceling twine of various kinds in addition to ropes, sacks,
carpets, and upholstery. Agave is a genus that includes the common sisal (A.sisalana) and many
other species such as Agave fourcryodes (Henequen). The Agaves are indigenous to tropical and
sub-tropical regions of Southern America, Mexico, Southern Coast of United States of America
and the Caribbean Island. It was introduced to Tanzania by a German agronomist in 1893 who
imported bulbils from Florida, USA. From there, sisal spread to Kenya and other parts of East,
Central and Southern Africa [4].

Sisal is a xerophyte, monocarp, semi-perennial leaf fibre producing plant. The plant has short
stem bears rosette of leaves that are sessile, linear lanceolate attains a length of 1m or more. The
leaves are thick, fleshy and often covered with waxy layer, typical characteristics of xerophytic
plants. A healthy sisal plant produces about 200-250 leaves during its10-12 years life span, after
which it produces a long flowering axis called ‘pole’. Different species of Agave
family) namely A. sisalana, A. cantala, A. Vera amaniensis, A. angustifolia and A. fourcryodes
hard fibre from its leaf. However, among the different species, A. sisalana contributes nearly
85% of the total sisal fibre production of the World. A. sisalana is a native of the Yucatan
area of Mexico where the fibre had been used by the native Mexican people for centuries. Later,
around 1836, sisal was introduced to Florida. Other than Mexico, wide cultivation of
sisal was started in Tanzania, where it was introduced by Dr. Richard Hindorf, an Agronomist
from Germany. In the present world, major sisal producing countries are Brazil, Kenya,
Tanzania, Madagascar, China, Mexico and Haiti (Table 1). In the modern world, sisal/ agave was
extensively studied Howard Scott Gentry (1903-1993) who was an American botanist recognized
as the world's leading authority on the agaves. Sisal fibre is very commonly used in the shipping
industry for mooring small craft, lashing, and handling cargo. Besides, it has several other
domestic to industrial uses including high strength requiring long -lasting geo-textile and
specialty composites. Sisal is also an excellent CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) crop for
bioethanol as well as for afforestation over poor quality arid lands giving both permanent carbon
credits of forestry for carbon sequestration. In general sisal is not much infested by many
disease and insect pest; and therefore, sisal plantation does not produce pesticide load to the
environment. Besides, sisal plants reduce soil erosion through its extensive root system and

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 contributes positively to watershed management. Sisal has several distinguishing characteristics
which makes sisal a ‘specialty crop’ for conservation agriculture [2].

1.2. Fiber extraction

In view of recent global environmental issues, scientists worldwide have begun to show interest
in exploiting the full potential of natural fibers and their diverse uses. There are plenty of
renewable resources obtainable from the plant kingdom, and a vast resource for different natural
fibers viz. Jute, Banana, Coir, etc., which are abundantly available in many parts of world.
However, there are still a number of other vegetable fibers which have not been used as textile
fibers [6]. Many research and developments are focused on composites with natural fibers as
reinforcements. Natural fibers like hemp, jute, sisal, banana, bamboo, coir, etc., reinforced with
polymer resins were investigated. Natural fibers especially plant fibers have attracted the
researchers due to its low cost and biodegradability. However, it has some disadvantages like
poor bonding and high moisture absorption properties. Fibers have an appearance of hair-like
strands. Fibers can be obtained from natural and synthetic forms. Natural fibers can be obtained
from plants and animals. Synthetic fibers can be obtained from processing natural fibers or by
chemical means. Natural fibers can be spun or twisted to make desired products [5].

1.3. Statement of the problem

Historically fiber is produced by using retting and mechanical process. Retting method is a
traditional method and biodegradation process involving microbial sisal leaves which fiber from
the pitch. This process takes 15-21 days for a single cycle of extraction and degrades the quality
of the fiber and under retting causes the removal of gummy materials such as pectin substances,
and extraction of fiber becomes difficult.

Mechanical fiber extraction is small scale operations by using machines and are not efficient in
the removal of cementing compounds (mostly waxes, hemicelluloses, lignin and hydrocarbons)
between fibers.

Hence this study will be taken to investigate the extraction of fiber by using chemicals and no
specify study on the extraction of the sisal fiber by using the chemical process. As a pre-
treatment step, distilled water is used to clean raw sisal plant leaves. Then after drying the fiber
is treated with diethyl ether: Hexane: Ethanol (2:2:1) followed by ethanol, to ensure the removal

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 of all polar and nonpolar compounds which includes waxes and other extractives such that only
macro molecules or polymers remain. Then alkali and enzymatic treatments are followed to
improve quality of the fiber. Alkali used in fiber extraction dissolves the lignocellulose material
between fibers and separates structural linkages between lignin and cellulose, which leads to
increased surface area as well as a degree of polymerization and lowers the breaking strength of
fibers. In enzymatic process of fiber extraction, there is degradation of lignocellulose component
in fibers by enzymes resulting increased fiber swelling and lowers the degree of polymerization.
Fibers extracted by using enzymes are more pliable and softer.

1.4. Objective of the study

1.4.1. General objective
The general objective of the study is to investigate the extraction of sisal fiber by using chemical
process.

1.4.2. Specific objectives

 Extraction capacity of diethyl ether, hexane and ethanol.

 The capacity of Denilite II S (pH 7), Scourzyme L (pH 9) and Cellusoft Conc. L (pH 7)
enzymes and alkaline NaOH to remove the gluing materials found in the fibres.

 To investigate chemical composition of sisal fiber after treated with sodium hydroxide,
enzymes and untreated fiber.

1.5. Significance of the study

Historically the fiber extracted by using traditional method is not very clean and the process is
found to be a very slow and tedious exercise. This study concerns on how to extract sisal fibers
and remove impurities from the fiber by using chemicals and biological enzymes. Using alkali
and enzymes will improves the fibers surface smoothness and the texture by removing the gluing
substances.

1.6. Scope of the study

This study mainly depends on how fiber is extracted from sisal plant by using chemicals and
enzymes. Beside that to investigate the chemical and physical composition of the fiber after

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 treated with NaOH (8%). After extraction the chemical and physical composition of the treated
and untreated fiber is tasted.

CHAPTER TWO

2. REVIEW OF LETREATURE

Natural fibers have gained renewed interest due to their varied uses in textiles, composites,
handicrafts, packaging, etc., and consumer demand for environmentally sustainable and traceable
processing chains [8].
2.1. Classification of natural fibre
Fibers are a class of hair-like material that are continuous filaments or are in discrete elongated
pieces, similar to pieces of thread. They can be spun into filaments, thread, or rope. They can be
used as a component of composites materials. They can also be matted into sheets to make
products such as paper or felt. Fibers are of two types: natural fiber and man-made or synthetic
fiber [7].

Plant fibers Animal fibers (protein)

Silk
Wood Stem/Blast Leaf Seed/Fruit Grass wool

-Softwood Flax Sisal Cotton

Abaca Coconut Bamboo
-hardwood jute
pineapple Rice
hemp
kenaf banana
ramie Fique
Henequen
Palm

Scheme.1.
f Classification of fibre
Fique
2.2. Sources of natural fibres
Natural fibers include those made from plant, animal and mineral sources. Natural fibers can be
classified according to their origin [7].

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 2.2.1. Vegetable fibers
Vegetable fibers are generally comprised mainly of cellulose: examples include cotton, jute, flax,
ramie, sisal, and hemp. Cellulose fibers serve in the manufacture of paper and cloth. This fiber
can be further categorized into the following:
 Seed fiber: Fibers collected from seeds or seed cases. E.g. cotton and kapok.
 Leaf fiber: Fibers collected from leaves. E.g. sisal and agave.
 Bast fiber or skin fiber: Fibers are collected from the skin or bast surrounding the stem of
their respective plant. These fibers have higher tensile strength than other fibers.
Therefore, these fibers are used for durable yarn, fabric, packaging, and paper. Some
examples are flax, jute, kenaf, industrial hemp, ramie, rattan, soybean fiber, and even
vine fibers and banana fibers.
 Fruit fiber: Fibers are collected from the fruit of the plant, e.g. coconut (coir) fiber.
 Stalk fiber: Fibers are actually the stalks of the plant. E.g. straws of wheat, rice, barley,
and other crops including bamboo and grass. Tree wood is also such a fiber.
 Stalk fiber: Fibers are actually the stalks of the plant. E.g. straws of wheat, rice, barley,
and other crops including bamboo and grass. Tree wood is also such a fiber.
The most used natural fibers are cotton, flax and hemp, although sisal, jute, kenaf, and coconut
are also widely used. Hemp fibers are mainly used for ropes and aerofoils because of their high
suppleness and resistance within an aggressive environment. Hemp fibers are, for example,
currently used as a seal within the heating and sanitary industries [7].

2.3. Sisal fibre and its extraction procedure

Sisal fiber is a kind of natural fiber, which possesses high specific strength and modulus, low
price, recyclability, easy availability. Using sisal fiber as reinforcement to make sisal fiber
reinforced polymer composites has aroused great interest of materials scientists and engineers all
over the world. Many researches have been done in recent years, which include the study of
mechanical properties of the composites, finding an efficient way to improve the interfacial
bonding properties between sisal fiber and polymeric matrices and fiber surface treatment on the
mechanical performance of the composites.
Sisal or sisal hemp is an agave. Agave sisalana that yields a stiff fiber used in making rope. It is
not really a variety of hemp, but named so because hemp was for centuries a major source for
fiber, so other fibers were sometimes named after it. The Sisal plant has a 7-10 year life-span and
typically produces 200-250 commercially usable leaves. Each leaf contains an average of around
1000 fibers. The fiber element, which accounts for only about 4% of the plant by weight, is
extracted by a process known as decortication. In the 19th century, sisal cultivation (the plant
being propagated via offsets), was spread worldwide, from Florida to the Caribbean islands and

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 Brazil, as well as to countries in Africa, notably Tanzania and Kenya, and Asia. Among flax,
hemp, abaca, sun hemp and other agro-based fiber species, annual sisal production is the second
largest worldwide, after cotton.
Sisal does not build up static nor does it trap dust, so vacuuming is the only maintenance
required. High spill areas should be treated with a fiber sealer and for spot removal, a dry
cleaning powder is recommended. Depending on climatic conditions, sisal will absorb air
humidity or release it causing expansion or contraction. Sisal is not recommended for areas that
receive wet spills, or rain or snow [7].
Agave sisalana is the botanical name for sisal plant. It originated from Mexico and availability is
found more in Brazil, Tanzania, Kenya and some regions of Asia. Sisal fibers are produced from
sisal leaves. These plants live for 7-10 years producing approximately 200-250 leaves. These
fibers are stiff in nature and it is used for producing the following items
 Rope, twines and carpets

 Marine applications

 Textile industries
 Wall coverings and dartboards [5].
Due to superior mechanical properties recyclable nature sisal fibre can be used as potential input
material for making composites for application in buildings, automobiles, railways, geo-textiles,
packing industries etc. (sheme.2)

Scheme 2. Uses of Products of sisal fiber extraction for different purpose

Sisal fibre is extracted either by retting process or chemical treatment or mechanical method.
Retting process is the traditional method. It is biodegradation process involving microbial

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 decomposition of sisal leaves which separates fibre from the pith. This process takes 15-21 days
for a single cycle of extraction and degrades the quality of fibre. Mechanical extraction with the
help of decortication (Raspador) machine is best suited for small scale operations at village level.
It is a semi-automatic machine running either on diesel or electricity and can extract fibre from
12 sisal leaves per minute.
2.3.1. Fiber Properties
The important chemical components of the sisal fibre are shown in Table 1. Based on the
composition, it can be inferred that the sisal fibre is harder (greater rigidity and lower flexibility)
and coarser than other bast and leaf fibres because of the high lignin and pectin content. Apart
from this, the superior engineering properties (diameter 50–200 m; microfibril angle 10–220,
Ultimate Tensile Strength of 468–640 Mpa; Modulus of 9.40–15.80 Gpa and elongation of 3–
7%) makes it an excellent material for manufacturing high strength textile and reinforcement in
composites for various applications [3].
Table 1: Chemical composition of sisal fiber

S. No Chemical components % by weight

1. Cellulose 55-65
2. Hemi-cellulose 10-15
3. Pectin 2-4
4. Lignin 10-20
5. Water soluble materials 1-4
6. Fat and wax 10.15-10.3
7. Ash 0.7-1.5

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 CHAPTER THREE

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Materials
Diethyl ether, hexane, ethanol, NaOH etc., Sisal leaves of long length will be collected from the
field.

3.2. Methods
3.2.1. Preliminary stage
Attaining maturity, sisal leaves will be harvested manually by cutting from the leaf base with a
sharp specialized crescent like knife having long handle [2].

3.2.2. Laboratory stage

As a pre-treatment step, the fibres were thoroughly washed with distilled water and dried in a
vacuum oven pre-set at 80ºC for 24 hours after which raw fibres were sampled. They were then
treated with diethyl ether: Hexane: Ethanol (2:2:1) followed by ethanol to ensure the removal of
all polar and nonpolar compounds which includes waxes and other extractives such that only
macro molecules or polymers remain [1].

After the pre-treatment, fibres were thoroughly washed with distilled water and dried in an oven
at 80ºC for 24 hours. The fibres were then treated with sodium hydroxide and enzymes. The
enzymatic treatment was done in a step-wise format, because the three enzymes used differed in
their pH for optimum function. The enzymes used were: Denilite II S (pH 7), Scourzyme L (pH
9) and Cellusoft Conc. L (pH 7) sourced from a ligase, pectinase and hemicelluloses,
respectively. After the treatment, the fibres were then tested for both physical chemical
properties for comparison purposes. Hence, proper drying is important the fibers were dried
under a shade to avoid bleaching by direct sunlight [1].

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 3.3. Evaluation of fibre
Fiber length, fiber diameter, Moisture Absorption Properties, visual and hand evaluation such as;
color, texture, luster, smoothness, flexibility, physical shape and the burning characteristics of
the fiber like other known cellulosic fibers will be tested [6].

3.3.1. Fiber diameter

The thickness of the fiber will be determined by using projection microscope [6].

3.3.2. Fiber length

The fiber length will be determined by using mechanical method. Or the morphology of the fiber
is determined by SEM [6].

3.3.3. Moisture absorption properties

Whether or not the fiber absorb the moisture than it is weight is evaluated [6].

3.3.4. Visual and Hand Evaluation

In visual and hand evaluation of Agave Americana fibers, the observation of fiber shape, color,
surface texture are visually evaluated [6].

3.3.5. Chemical composition of fiber after treatment with NaOH

The chemical composition of the fiber treatment with NaOH is investigated by Attenuated Total
Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-IR) [1].

3.3.6. Burning Test

The fiber is brought near the flame [6].

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4. WORK AND BUDGET

4.1. Work plan

Plan and time are allocated for each activity, to accomplish the research on time. The
following time schedule is designed for successful completion of the work.
Table 2. Time schedule for work plan

Time

No Activities December January February March April May June

1 Topic X
selection

2 Searching x x
literature

3 Proposal x x x
development

4 Advisor x x x x x x
contact

5 Report x
writing

6 Presentation x

4.2. Budget plan

The required cost necessary to run the research are indicated in the table below.

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 Table 3.Schedule for budget plan

Description of Unit Quantity Unit cost Total cost

items
Birr Cent birr Cent

Transport No 1 130 00 260 00

Reader No 1 150 00 150 00

Pen No 2 5 00 10 00

Pencil No 1 3 50 3 50

Ruler No 1 5 00 5 00

Note pad No 1 25 00 25 00

Samples No 5 15 00 75 00

Print Pages 90 60 54 00

Total 582 50

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 References

1. Vilane, V.S.1, Thwala, J.M.1, Ndlovu, T.1, Zwane, P.E.2 & Masarirambi, M.T.3 “The bio-
processing of fibres from Agave sisalana and Agave americana” Research Application Summary
PP: 393 – 399

2. Sitangshu Sarkar and Jha, A. K. (2017) “research for sisal (agave sp.) Fibre production in
india.” International Journal of Current Research Vol. 9 (11), PP 61136-61141,

3. P.Srinivasakumar, M.J.Nandan, Dr.C.Udaya Kiran, Dr.K.Prahlada Rao (2013) “Sisal and its
Potential for Creating Innovative Employment Opportunities and Economic Prospects.” Journal
of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), Vol. 8(6), PP 01-08.

4. PKF Consulting Ltd (2005) “Kenyan sisal industry overview” International Research
Network, PP 1-3

5. Anna University Chennai “extraction of fibre from banana and sisal plant.” 600 [025]

6. Ashish Hulle, Pradyumkumar Kadole and Pooja Katkar (2015)“Agava Americans leafs fiber.”
fibers, vol. 3, PP 66-75.
7. D. Chandramohan & .K. Marimuthu (2011) “A review on natural fibers” journal of
mechanical Engineering, vol. 8(2), PP 196-198

8. Laura Bacci, Sara Di Lonardo, Lorenzo Albanese, Giorgio Mastromei and Brunella Perito
(2010) “Effect of different extraction methods on fiber quality of nettle.” Textile research
Journal, vol. 81(8), PP 27-29.

9. R.V. Subbarao and V.Vasudeva Rao “Additional employment and income opportunities
through sisal fiber in the tribal and forest areas of Andhra Pradesh.” Forum for integrated
development. PP 212-215.

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