Variation of chemical characteristics and pulpability of dhaincha (Sesbania bispinosa) on location

Dhaincha ( Sesbania bispinosa ) is a crop generally cultivated for improving soil quality. Due to the lack of forest worldwide, alternative source of raw materials for cellulose industries is the main concern today. In this investigation dhaincha samples were collected from 21 accessions of different districts of the country in order to study variation of chemical characteristics and its pulpability. The lignin, pentosan and α –cellulose content were varied from 21 to 23%, from 16 to 18% and from 38 to 43%, respectively. The highest and lowest α –cellulose content were found in two location of Mymensngh district. There was no correlation was found among the district. Therefore, pulping of dhaincha from selected seven districts was carried out in kraft process at the conditions of 18% active alkali at 170 o C for 2 h. But the pulping properties did not show any mentionable distinction for place variation. Average pulp yield is 42.9% with kappa number 11. The highest brightness 85% ISO was reached with D 0 E p D 1 bleaching. The papermaking properties were very close to the conventional raw materials used in Bangladesh. Therefore, dhaincha can be used as a raw material for pulp production in Bangladesh.