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Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Analysis of institutional authors

Cobo Escamilla, AlfonsoAuthorHurtado-Figueroa O.AuthorPrieto M.i.Author

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January 22, 2025
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The alkaline treatment and its influence on the physicomechanical properties of plantain pseudostem fibers - A comparative study of treated and untreated fibers

Publicated to: Heliyon. 11 (2): e41843- - 2025-01-30 11(2), DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41843

Authors:

Hurtado-Figueroa O; Varum H; Prieto MI; Gallardo Amaya RJ; Escamilla AC
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Affiliations

Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author
Escuela Técnica Superior de Edificación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid; Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander - Author
Universidad Francisco de Paula Santander - Author
Universidad Politécnica de Madrid - Author
universidade do porto - Author
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Abstract

Fibers were extracted from the pseudostem of the plantain of the variety Hartón, belonging to the order Zingiberales, family Musaceae, genus Musa, species Musa paradisiaca. The fibers were exposed to alkaline treatment to improve their physicomechanical properties for use as reinforcement in green composites. NaOH solutions of 4 %, 5 %, and 6 % by weight were prepared. The fibers were immersed for 2 h in each solution. Fibers were washed with acetic acid to remove NaOH residues and dried at room temperature. Weight loss and lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content were evaluated. FTIR, tensile, and elongation tests were performed. SEM images and EDS mapping allowed to conclude the phenomena that occurred in the treatments. The untreated fibers obtained a tensile strength of 37.23 MPa, in contrast to 104.26 MPa obtained by the fibers treated with 5 % NaOH solution. It was concluded that the partial elimination of impurities and waxes improved the mechanical behavior of the fibers by 180 %. Regarding elongation, the fibers treated with 4 % NaOH solution obtained the best result with 3.7 %. It was determined that the partial elimination of lignin favors elongation by 48 %. Excessive hemicellulose removal was found to cause fibril separation and detachment. Considerable contraction of vascular bundles occurred. Roughness in the fibers surface topography were improved.
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Keywords

Alkaline treatmentMechanical propertiesNaohPlantain pseudostemSurface modificationVegetable fibersZero hunger

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Heliyon due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 29/136, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Multidisciplinary Sciences.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-25:

  • Scopus: 5
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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 37 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

    It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

    • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
    • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/93317/

    As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

    • Views: 43
    • Downloads: 21
    Continuing with the social impact of the work, it is important to emphasize that, due to its content, it can be assigned to the area of interest of ODS 2 - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, with a probability of 80% according to the mBERT algorithm developed by Aurora University.
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    Leadership analysis of institutional authors

    This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Colombia; Portugal.

    There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (HURTADO FIGUEROA, OSWALDO) and Last Author (Escamilla A.C.).

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    Project objectives

    La aportación persigue los siguientes objetivos: analizar el efecto del tratamiento alcalino con soluciones de NaOH al 4 %, 5 % y 6 % sobre las propiedades fisicomecánicas de las fibras de pseudotallo de plátano variedad Hartón; evaluar la pérdida de peso y los contenidos de lignina, celulosa y hemicelulosa tras el tratamiento; caracterizar las fibras mediante técnicas FTIR, pruebas de tensión y elongación, así como imágenes SEM y mapeo EDS; determinar la influencia del tratamiento en la resistencia a la tracción y elongación de las fibras; y describir los fenómenos microestructurales asociados, como la eliminación parcial de impurezas, la contracción de haces vasculares y la mejora en la rugosidad superficial.
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    Most relevant results

    Los resultados más relevantes del estudio muestran que el tratamiento alcalino con soluciones de NaOH mejora significativamente las propiedades fisicomecánicas de las fibras de pseudotallo de plátano variedad Hartón. En primer lugar, las fibras tratadas con 5 % de NaOH alcanzaron una resistencia a la tracción de 104,26 MPa, frente a 37,23 MPa en fibras no tratadas, lo que representa una mejora del 180 %. En segundo lugar, la elongación máxima del 3,7 % se obtuvo con la solución de 4 % NaOH, evidenciando un aumento del 48 % debido a la eliminación parcial de lignina. Además, se observó que la eliminación excesiva de hemicelulosa provoca la separación y desprendimiento de fibrillas, mientras que la topografía superficial de las fibras mostró un aumento notable en la rugosidad.
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