Characterization of maize leaves and of sugarcane bagasse to elaborate of a mixed cellulose pulp

This article presents the results obtained in chemical and morphological, characterization of corn cob leaves (Zea mays), and bagasse of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum). Percentage of a-cellulose, holocellulose, lignin and ashes, according to the Tappi standards and the Jayme-Wise method for each component, were analyzad. Biometric properties of each plant fibers (length and diameter, wall thickness and lumen diameter) were determined. Indices of quality of paper pulp for paper were also estimated. This study was conducted in order to get information of both plants for further treatment of pulping, bleaching and mixing, to obtain an optimal cellulosic pulp, from their waste. The results indicate that the content of holocellulose in the leaves of maize ear is in the range of materials commonly used in the production of pulp for paper and is close to that observed in sugarcane bagasse. Morphological characterization of fibers showed that the length of them is very similar, unlike the width, thickness and lumen diameter. Corn cob leaves presented fiber with best features for an optimal pulp manufacturing. They were "very good", according to Runkel's classification. For its part, sugarcane bagasse fiber, presented "good" features.