Background:
The lignocellulosic jute fibre is removed from the bark by the biodegradation of cementing materials like pectins, hemicelluloses by the enzymatic action of microbes in the process of retting. The efficiency of the retting process is crucially dependent on efficiency and abundance of microbes present in the retting water. More than 90% jute farmers in India follow conventional retting using stagnant water. The fibre quality is affected in conventional stagnant water retting which is not of internationally competitive. Thus, there was a strong need to bring innovation in retting process which will produce high quality fibre efficiently in short duration from stagnant water retting.:
Technology Details:
The present innovation related to the development of a very efficient talc based microbial formulation called “CRIJAF SONA” for faster retting of jute & mesta. The novel microbial strains (three strains of Bacillus spp) of this microbial formulation possess unique pectin and hemicellulose degrading properties without any breakdown of cellulose. Application of “CRIJAF SONA” reduces the jute retting duration by 6-7 days, improves fibre yield by 8 to 10% and fibre quality by 2 to 3 grades, reduces water requirements by about 35% and increases farmers’ income by Rs. 12000-15000 per hectare from stagnant water retting.