Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Jute
Jute
• Process of loosening & separating bark from woody stalk, to remove non-
cellulosic material like lignin and hemi-cellulose , which is done by combined
actions of water and micro organisms.
• FACTORS AFFECTING RETTING :- 1. Hardness of water
2. Presence of O₂ & Iron in water
3. Presence of micro-biological
agents like fungi & bacteria
4. PH.
5. Temperature
Retting & Fibre Extraction
Conventionally retting is the total process of loosening of fibre
strands from the woody core by decomposing the non-fibrous
matters linking the fibres to the bark with the help of aquatic
microbes when put into water (ponds, canals, rivers and retting
tanks) for about fifteen days, mechanical extraction of fibres, washing
and drying of jute fibres before marketing of the same. Retting plays
an important role in quality fibre production. As the conventional
whole plant retting does not suit to the farmers in water crisis
situation, mechano-microbial retting technology has been developed
which needs some more studies for commercialization. Under
mechano-microbial method, green bark containing the fibre bundles
are extracted from jute stems by a mechanical device and the
extracted green ribbons are then sprayed with a microbial consortium
and kept overnight covering with polythene sheet. Next morning, the
sprayed ribbons are steeped vertically in polythene lined pit for
retting and retting is completed in about seven days. Efficiency of
retting and quality of fibre depends on factors like crop age,
fertilization of crop, quality of retting water including pH and
temperature, activators, covering materials etc. Other techniques like
dew retting and chemical retting are also practiced to some extent.
TYPES OF RETTING
1. DEW RETTING
2. STAGNANT WATER RETTING
3. RUNNING WATER RETTING
4. CHEMICAL RETTING
DEW RETTING
1. Jute stem kept in warm & humid atmosphere
2. Stretched in thin layer over green grass for 7-15 days with
occasional turn-over
3. By this process , jute stalks get direct exposure to bright sun-light in
days & to moisture in nights
4. Gradually leaves , small branches , loose bark come out
STAGNANT WATER RETTING
1. Jute stalk bundles are weighted with stones & immersed under
water , 4”-6” below surface , in tank or pond
2. After fermentation, stalks float due to formation of CO₂ inside the
bundles
3. After proper retting , bundles are taken out for extraction of fibres
4. Time for retting :-10-20 days ( depending upon the temperature of
water and condition of stalks )
RUNNING WATER RETTING
1. Jute stalks are immersed in a current of flowing water in big bundles
& loose conditions
2. Left for 20-30 days according to suitable conditions
3. When fully retted , bundles are taken out for extraction of fibres
CHEMICAL RETTING
1. Process consists of softening the tissues by boiling with 1% of NaOH
or 0.5% of H₂SO₄ at boiling temperature for 6-8 hrs.
2. Non-cellulosic matters are hydrolysed & degraded to their
respective lower products
3. Then fibres are washed with clean water
4. Quiet costlier process as required chemicals and proper vessels for
the treatment
DURATION OF RETTING OF JUTE FIBRE