Abstract

The earth is covered with about 30% of forest land. Between the years 1990 and 2005, there was a net decrease (1.7%) in the global forest area at an annual rate of change of 0.11%. One of the major reasons for deforestation is logging of wood and using a substantial amount of this logged wood for the production of paper and pulp. Hence, non-woody plant species are being sought to complement the conventional process for paper and pulp production. In the present study, the chemical characteristics of three potential weeds Merremia peltata (L.) Merr., Amaranthus viridis L., and Andropogon saccharoides var. erianthoides Hack. which were locally available in abundance were analyzed through proximate analysis studies according to Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry standard method. The results show that holocellulose content in M. peltata (L.) Merr., A. viridis L., and A. saccharoides var. erianthoides Hack. was found to be 64.19%, 73.26%, and 72.41%, respectively, which is found to be comparable with holocellulose content present in soft and hard wood trees. Furthermore, when the lignin content of M. peltata (L.) Merr. (19.46%), A. viridis L. (12.30%), and A. saccharoides var. erianthoides Hack. (22.19%) was analyzed in comparison with the other non-wood species such as sugar maple (21.79%), Lantana camara L. (26.93 ± 2.65%), and torpedo grass or Panicum repens L. Rank. (21.48%), a comparable result was obtained. These results affirm the potential of these species for use in pulp and paper industries. Furthermore, these species which are locally available can become a potential source of income if an organized effort to pool the biomass is considered.

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