Research Articles
Early View Article
DOI DOI: 10.62063/ecb-77

Effect of enzyme treatments on the performance of fibers obtained from inner and outer corn husk leaves

Abstract

Fibers were produced from inner and outer corn husk leaves by alkalization followed by enzyme treatment at various concentrations of xylanase. The physical, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of the obtained corn husk fibers were studied. The inner and outer corn husk fibers respond differently to enzymatic treatments. In general, the linear density, effective diameter, and water absorptivity of the fibers decreased with enzyme treatment. An increase in xylanase concentration led to a substantial decrease in the elongation of inner corn husk fibers, while leading to an increase in stiffness. The fibers produced from the outer corn husk leaves exhibited higher thermal stability, with greater thermal decomposition stage temperatures and lower mass loss, in comparison to those from the inner husk leaves. Thermogravimetric and FT-IR analyses revealed that the fibers from the inner corn husk leaves contained less noncellulosic content than those from the outer husk leaves.

How to Cite

Yılmaz, N. D., & Koyundereli Cilgi, G. (2026). Effect of enzyme treatments on the performance of fibers obtained from inner and outer corn husk leaves. The European Chemistry and Biotechnology Journal, (6). https://doi.org/10.62063/ecb-77

References

  1. Aggarwal, M., & Chatterjee, A. (2022). Alkali pre-treatment of jute yarns for reinforcement in epoxy composites. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 47(3), 309–317. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijftr.v47i3.43765
  2. Akarsu, N., Yılmaz, O. O., Aslan-Tacal, B., Güngör, F., Güllüoğlu, M., Dergin, G., & Ulucan, K. (2025). Investigation of the effect of catechol-O-methyltransferase gene rs4680 polymorphism on trigeminal neuralgia susceptibility. The European Chemistry and Biotechnology Journal, (3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.62063/ecb-36
  3. Aktar, B. Y., Aysan, A., Turunen, O., Yağcı, T., Solğun, H. A., & Binay, B. (2024). L-asparaginase from Lachancea thermotolerans: Effect of Lys99Ala on enzyme performance and in vitro antileukemic efficacy. Biotechnology Journal, 19(11), e202400507. https://doi.org/10.1002/biot.202400507
  4. Arantes, V., Dias, I. K. R., Berto, G. L., Pereira, B., Marotti, B. S., & Nogueira, C. F. O. (2020). The current status of the enzyme-mediated isolation and functionalization of nanocelluloses: Production, properties, techno-economics, and opportunities. Cellulose, 27, 10571–10630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-020-03332-1
  5. Ariffuzaman Khan, G. M., Shamsul Alam, Md., & Terano, M. (2012). Thermal characterization of chemically treated coconut husk fibre. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 37, 20–26.
  6. Asim, M., Paridah, M. T., Chandrasekar, M., Shahroze, R. M., Jawaid, M., Nasir, M., & Siakeng, R. (2020). Thermal stability of natural fibers and their polymer composites. Iranian Polymer Journal, 29, 625–664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-020-00824-6
  7. ASTM International. (2007). Standard test method for moisture in cotton by oven-drying (ASTM D2495-07).
  8. ASTM International. (2007). Standard test method for single textile fibres (ASTM D3822-07).
  9. ASTM International. (2007). Standard test methods for linear density of textile fibres (ASTM D1577-07).
  10. Bismarck, A., Mishra, S., & Lampke, T. (2005). Plant fibers as reinforcement for green composites. In A. K. Mohanty, M. Misra, & T. L. Drzal (Eds.), Natural fibers, biopolymers, and biocomposites (pp. xx–xx). CRC Press.
  11. Büyükkaya, K. (2025). Examining the physical and thermal properties of nettle fibers obtained from different genetic sources and determining their usability as reinforcement materials in composites. Journal of Natural Fibers, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2025.2519609
  12. Çaloğlu, B., & Binay, B. (2023). Utilization potential of agro-industrial by-products and waste sources: Laccase production in bioreactor with Pichia pastoris. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 193, 108854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2023.108854
  13. Chokshi, S. P., Bambhaniya, S. B., & Mandot, A. A. (2025). Defining application areas of corn husk fibre by studying its characteristics. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 32, 7368–7373. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33834-5
  14. Chun, K. S., Maimunah, T., Yeng, C. M., Yeow, T. K., & Kiat, O. T. (2020). Properties of corn husk fibre reinforced epoxy composites fabricated using vacuum-assisted resin infusion. Journal of Physical Science, 31(3), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.21315/jps2020.31.3.2
  15. De Rosa, I. M., Kenny, J. M., Puglia, D., Santulli, C., & Sarasini, F. (2010). Morphological, thermal and mechanical characterization of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fibres as potential reinforcement in polymer composites. Composites Science and Technology, 70, 116–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2009.09.013
  16. Duman, Y. A., Tufan, G., & Kaya, A. U. (2020). Immobilisation of cellulase on vermiculite and the effects on enzymatic kinetics and thermodynamics. Applied Clay Science, 197, 105792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2020.105792
  17. Foroushani, M. A., Foroushani, Y., & Yarahmadi, H. (2025). Analysis of mechanical techniques in extracting cellulose fibers from sugarcane bagasse. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 15, 18601–18614. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-025-06596-4
  18. Gupta, B. S. (2008). Friction in textiles. Woodhead Publishing.
  19. Hasbek, F. M., & Yıldırım, D. (2025). Entrapment of protease from Bacillus sp. in polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels. The European Chemistry and Biotechnology Journal, (3), 21–31. https://doi.org/10.62063/ecb-38
  20. Karateke, B., & Yılmaz, N. D. (2025). Cellulose nanocrystal extraction from okra and hemp fibers. Cellulose, 32, 10529–10547. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-025-06841-z
  21. Lee, C. H., Khalina, A., Lee, S. H., & Liu, M. (2020). A comprehensive review on bast fibre retting process for optimal performance in fibre-reinforced polymer composites. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2020, 6074063. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6074063
  22. Liu, H. J., Liu, J., Zhai, Z., Dai, M., Tian, F., Wu, Y., Tang, J., Lu, Y., Wang, H., Jackson, D., Yang, X., Qin, F., Xu, M., Fernie, A. R., Zhang, Z., & Yan, J. (2025). Maize2035: A decadal vision for intelligent maize breeding. Molecular Plant, 18, 313–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2025.01.012
  23. Lv, L., Bi, J., Ye, F., Qian, Y., Zhao, Y., Chen, R., & Su, X. (2017). Extraction of discarded corn husk fibers and its flame-retarded composites. Tekstil ve Konfeksiyon, 27(4), 408–413.
  24. Mothe, C. G., & Miranda, I. C. (2009). Characterization of sugarcane and coconut fibers by thermal analysis and FTIR. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, 97, 661–665. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-009-0346-3
  25. Mudoi, M. P., & Sinha, S. (2024). Thermal degradation study of natural fibre through thermogravimetric analysis. Materials Today: Proceedings, 99, 92–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2023.05.362
  26. NİSAD Türkiye Şeker Derneği. (n.d.). Mısır tarımı. https://nisad.org.tr/misir-tarimi/
  27. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2022). OECD-FAO agricultural outlook 2022–2031. https://doi.org/10.1787/f1b0b29c-en
  28. Prasad, G. K., Guruprasad, R., Senthilkumar, T., Prabu, G. T. V., & Raja, A. S. M. (2022). Development of biodegradable tri-blended fabrics with improved moisture management properties using cotton/polylactic-acid/bamboo-viscose fibres. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 47(2), 161–165. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijftr.v1i2.47036
  29. Prasanth, N. A. (2025). Development of sustainable okra fiber-nano-SiO₂-reinforced epoxy composites: Mechanical characterization and machine learning-based prediction. Journal of Environmental Nanotechnology, 14(2), 146–161. https://doi.org/10.13074/jent.2025.06.2511437
  30. Pratheesh, K., Gurupranes, S. V., Aditya, K., & Pravin, P. P. (2022). Effect of corn husk fiber length and diameter on load-bearing, fatigue, and DMA properties of biosilica-toughened epoxy composite. Polymer Composites, 44, 3469–3476. https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.27334
  31. Rastogi, D., Jain, A., & Chanana, B. (2021). Development of sanitary napkins using corn husk fibres in absorbent layer—an exploratory study. Journal of Industrial Textiles, 51(2_suppl), 2267S–2282S. https://doi.org/10.1177/15280837211051103
  32. Reddy, N., & Yang, Y. (2005). Properties and potential applications of natural cellulose fibers from cornhusks. Green Chemistry, 7, 190–195. https://doi.org/10.1039/b415102j
  33. Rencoret, J., Gutiérrez, A., Nieto, L., Jiménez-Barbero, J., Faulds, C. B., Kim, H., Ralph, J., Martínez, Á. T., & del Río, J. C. (2011). Lignin composition and structure in young versus adult Eucalyptus globulus plants. Plant Physiology, 155(2), 667–682. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.110.167254
  34. Rouibah, H., Kenane, M., & Daoud, I. (2020). Influence of fabric properties, hybridization, and thermal aging on properties of flax/jute fibres reinforced epoxy hybrid composites. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 45, 426–435. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijftr.v45i4.24783
  35. Sahi, A. K., Singh, M. K., & Das, A. (2022). Effect of enzymatic process on characteristics of cottonized industrial hemp fibre. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 47, 281–289. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijftr.v47i3.54131
  36. Sakthivel, J. C., Sachin Sivaraman, S., Sathish, J., & Venkatesh, D. (2021). Extraction and characterization of fibre from musa plant bract. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 46, 191–194. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijftr.v46i2.36575
  37. International Organization for Standardization. (2000). Textiles—Test methods for nonwovens—Part 6: Absorption (ISO 9073-6:2000).
  38. Thomason, J. L., & Rudeiros-Fernández, J. L. (2021). Thermal degradation behaviour of natural fibres at thermoplastic composite processing temperatures. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 188, 109495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2021.109594
  39. Tshifularo, C., Anandjiwala, R., & Patnaik, A. (2020). Effect of process parameters on properties of polypropylene and kenaf fibres needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 45(3), 274–285. https://doi.org/10.56042/ijftr.v45i3.25951
  40. Xing, J., Zhang, Z., Zhao, Q., Li, X., & Zhao, J. (2025). Influence of one-step enzymatic modification on the structure, physicochemical, and functional properties of dietary fiber from corn husk rich in (hemi)cellulose. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 317(1), 144683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144683
  41. Yağcı, Ç., & Duman, Y. (2021). Dispersant effect of degraded cellulase and SDS on copper(II) phthalocyanine pigment. Biocatalysis and Biotransformation, 39(4), 313–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/10242422.2021.1876679
  42. Yao, F., Wu, Q., Lei, Y., Guo, W., & Xu, Y. (2008). Thermal decomposition kinetics of natural fibers: Activation energy with dynamic thermogravimetric analysis. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 93, 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2007.10.012
  43. Yılmaz, N. D. (2013). Effects of enzymatic treatments on the mechanical properties of corn husk fibers. Journal of the Textile Institute, 104, 396–406. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2012.736707
  44. Yılmaz, N. D., Çalışkan, E., & Yılmaz, K. (2014). Effect of xylanase enzyme on mechanical properties of fibres extracted from undried and dried corn husks. Indian Journal of Fibre & Textile Research, 39(1), 60–64.
  45. Zhang, Z. D., Chang, Z., Qian, J., Hua, Y., Wang, A., & Luo, Z. (2025). Preparation and properties of sisal fiber reinforced magnesium phosphate cement. Composites Part B: Engineering, 307, 112859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2025.112859