Biomechanical pulping of kenaf

Cut kenaf bast strands, untreated and treated with a CZ-3 strain of white-rot fungus Ceriporiopsis subvermispora (for two weeks), were refined in a laboratory single-disc refiner under atmospheric conditions. First-stage refining and second-stage refining were carried out at various clearance levels to several degrees of freeness. The energy consumption in refining was substantially lower, and the strength properties were higher for the fungal-treated kenaf. The opacity and drainage properties were also superior for biomechanical kenaf pulp; however, the brightness level was lower. Scanning electron microscopy of fungal-treated kenaf bast strands after refining showed that fibres appeared to separate more readily from adjacent fibers than with noninoculated treatments.