Baggasse preservation: a need for a biotechnological approach

Paper is one of the basic needs of modern life. With the consumption of paper likely to grow to 320 million MT by the year 2001, the the worldwide pulp and paper industry is gradually realizing that there is a shortage of the traditional raw material of cellulosic fiber. Bagasse--a byproduct of the sugar industry, presents a potential source of fiber for the paper industry without further compromising the environmental concern. It is cheap, perennially replenishible, presently does not have an alternative economically attractive value added usage, and has adequate chemical and mechanical properties for paper making. However, for it to be available to the paper industry throughout the year, it needs to be stored and preserved for a period of 6 to 8 months. With inherent problems associated with bagasse morphology, intricacies reflected as a result of its physicochemical characteristics, army of microbial infestants, cost-effective quality expectations of the paper industry, and the ecofriendly approach demanded by the society/pollution control boards/environmentalists, there does not seem to be any viable alternative except to use biotechnology approaches for bagasse preservation. It envisages the preservation of maximally depithed bagasse in the piles/heaps, using one-time fine misting of a preservative formulation comprised of biodegradable and nondegradable chemicals inhibiting the microbial population at selected enzyme levels. Its efficacy is improved by open, dry, windy, and moderate sunlit sites for storage. The method is simple, sustainable, and superior to the prevalent methods that are cost, capital, and energy intensive, non-eco-friendly and have adverse cost:benefit ratios. The biotechnology approach has an inherent scope for further optimization, automation, and economization.