A Preliminary Study on the Development of Banana-Fiber Based Herbal Finished Sanitary Pad: Preparation, Characteristics and Antimicrobial Effect on Neem Extract

Naresh, Eeswaran (2022) A Preliminary Study on the Development of Banana-Fiber Based Herbal Finished Sanitary Pad: Preparation, Characteristics and Antimicrobial Effect on Neem Extract. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

Text Eeswaran Naresh_Full Text.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB)

Abstract

Today a variety of menstrual hygiene products are available. However, menstrual hygiene and health is still a global issue related to education, socio-economic inequality and environment. Technically, a sanitary pad is a layered-textile product used to absorb and retain menstrual products. Functionally, the desired properties include leak proofing, good fitting to body contour, dryness and material comfort and hygiene. The use of the commercial disposable pads made of super absorbent polymer material and polyethylene back cover has raised concerns of chemical hazards and environmental pollution. Currently, research focused on using natural fibres to address the challenge of health impact, waste management and affordability are well under way. Fleshy the trunk of the banana plant is cut down after each harvest and mostly discarded as waste. Banana fibers are light weight and have strong moisture absorption quality. The main objective of this project is to carry out preliminary studies on the feasibility to develop a biodegradable antimicrobial sanitary pad from banana fiber. Treatment of banana fiber with alkali (sodium hydroxide) and enzymes (laccase and xylanase were done). The fibers treated are characterized based on chemical and physical composition. The treatments break down the fiber material such as lignin, hemicellulose and cellulose. The cellulose content is the main component in the banana fiber which affects the rate of absorbance. NaOH (15%) and enzymatic treatments with 15% laccase and xylanase were found to improve the cellulose contents. A study to determine the presence of bacteria in the fiber samples was also performed. An antimicrobial study was performed with cold macerated neem on E. coli and S. aureus with the aim of using neem as additive. Neem extract has promising antimicrobial activity at 50 mg/mL concentration which is as strong as12.5 mg/mL of ampicillin. The treated fibers had comparable absorbency and retention properties as commercial pad.