Gadjah Mada University: Pineapple leaf fiber is expected to solve the white pollution of disposable masks
After the garbage bags, the masks we use every day are gradually evolving into a new main source of white pollution. A 2020 study estimates that 129 billion masks are consumed globally each month, most of which are single-use masks made from plastic microfibers. With the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable masks have been promoted by most countries to prevent COVID-19 infection because they help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, so this data is constantly being refreshed.
To relieve the pressure that single-use masks are putting on the global problem of plastic pollution, it is imperative to find a sustainable solution. Recently, two biotechnology researchers from Gadjah Mada University proposed that biodegradable disposable masks made of pineapple leaves could be used to dispose of epidemic-related mask waste. Biodegradable disposable masks are mainly made of pineapple leaf fibers, because natural fibers are used instead of plastic fibers, so that microorganisms such as fungi or bacteria can start the degradation process more quickly after being immersed in the soil (expected to be 3 days). ).
It is understood that pineapples are very common in tropical regions. Relevant data show that in 2020, the global output of pineapples will reach 27.82 million tons. And pineapple leaves are one of the natural fibers with the highest known cellulose content (close to 80%), and there are many ways to extract fibers from pineapple leaves, making pineapple leaf fibers considered by biotechnology researchers as plastics. Good substitute for fiber.
