Variations in chemical characteristics and pulpability within jute plant (Chorcorus capsularis)

The differences in morphological and chemical characteristics and pulpability of core and bark fiber of jute at different position, top, middle and bottom were studied. The fiber length at the middle part of both bark and core was longer than the top and bottom part. With increasing height from bottom to top lignin content is decreased and α-cellulose content increased. The bark had higher α-cellulose and lower lignin than core. The bark produced nitrobenzene oxidation products with larger syringaldehyde/vanillin (S/V) ratios than the core. The yields of nitrobenzene oxidation products in bark were higher than core. The analysis of neutral sugars suggested that xylose is the predominant sugar of hemicellulose in both bark and core. The bark had higher glucose and lower xylose as compared to core. Under identical conditions of pulping, bark gave higher pulp yield and lower kappa number than core. The bark pulp showed better bleachability than core pulp. The higher tensile index in core pulp and higher tear index in bark pulp were observed.