Biological treatment of banana pseudostem fibre: Effect on softening and mechanical properties

The present study was aimed at softening of banana fibres using enzyme extract of Aspergillus niger. The polygalactouronase and lignin peroxidise activity in enzyme extract was found to be 25 and 0.153 U/ ml respectively. The banana fibres were subjected for biological softening by enzyme treatment (2 and 4 h), culture treatment (48 and 72 h) and anaerobic treatment (72 and 168h).