Properties and potential applications of natural cellulose fibers from cornhusks

Abstract

For the first time, natural cellulose fibers having properties between cotton and linen and suitable for various industrial applications have been extracted from cornhusks. High quality cellulosic fibers from cornhusks mean food, clothing and other major industrial products from the same source without the need for any additional natural resources. Using cornhusks for fibrous applications would save the land and other natural resources required to grow fiber crops and will conserve the non-renewable petroleum sources required to produce synthetic fibers. More than 9 million tons of natural cellulose fibers with a potential sale value of $19 billion with a value addition of at least $12 billion can be produced from the cornhusks available every year. Utilizing cornhusks as a source for natural cellulose fibers will significantly benefit the agriculture, fiber, food and energy needs of the future and will also benefit the environment.