In the present work, the chemical component and morphological characteristics
of Iranian cultivated kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) fibers were investigated. Chemical
properties including holocellulose (72.31%), alpha-cellulose (48.2%), lignin (16.27%) and
extractives (1% NaOH 17.39%) contents were determined. Fiber length, width, width of
lumen and cell wall thickness were 2553, 22.35, 5.23 and 11.90 μm, respectively. The
results of a biometrical study showed that kenaf bast contained fibers with similar
average biometrical properties to the softwood fibers, except that the cell wall of kenaf
bast was thicker. Chemical compositional analysis showed that the lignin content of
kenaf bast was lower than other non-wood papermaking fiber resources, while the
holocellulose content of kenaf was high. It was found that the kenaf bast contained low
amounts of ash.
