Pleurotus Mushroom For Banana Fiber Production
The banana companies in Mindanao can make additional income from their banana stalks after harvest by processing them into fibers for the manufacture of paper. Normally, banana stalks are left to the elements to rot and be wasted after the fruits are harvested.
Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and Rolyson B. Simpliciano, a biology professor of MMSU and her student, respectively, have found that the edible Pleurotus mushroom could be used to remove the lignin material from banana stalks and produce fibers for handmade paper making.
This could be considered a breakthrough since the banana industry produces voluminous amount of stalks that are normally considered waste. Moreover, their disposal is an added burden and entails additional operations cost.
Dr. Agrupis said the protocol they used eliminates the production of chemical effluents that pollute the environment, and stops the cutting down of trees that causes imbalances in the natural ecosystem.
Large-scale banana producers can help residents around their plantations earn good and clean money if they perform their social responsibility of teaching these people to produce fiber from banana stalks. Compared with the possible economic benefits that those people may derive from such a new industry, the amount that would be spent by the banana companies could very well be considered a drop in the bucket, so to speak.
If those people grab the opportunity to earn good and clean money, the problem of disposing the banana stalks properly is solved at a very little cost.
Companies interested in this technology may contact Dr. Agrupis at shirleyagrupis@yahoo.com.