BANANA PSEUDO-STEM SAP: A

SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR

WOODEN GLUES
 BA N A N A P S E U D O - S T E M S A P : A S U S TA I N A B L E
A LT E R N AT I V E F O R W O O D E N G L U E S

• Banana contains sap, it is called banana pseudo-stem sap (BPS). The

pseudo-stem is the part of banana plant that looks like a trunk. It is formed
by the tightly packed overlapping leaf sheaths.
• Banana sap can be used as glue due to its adhesive properties. The sap
contains bio-resins that can act as a binding agent. Additionally, banana sap
contains chemical constituents like phenols, carbohydrates and cellulose
which further contribute to its adhesive properties.
• Phenol Formaldehyde (PF) adhesives are the most widely utilized binders
used in the wood composites industry. PF is moisture resistant and gives
acceptable strength properties.
 BA N A N A P S E U D O - S T E M S A P : A S U S TA I N A B L E
A LT E R N AT I V E F O R W O O D E N G L U E S

• The banana pseudo-stems were immediately washed with fresh tap water
after removing the rotted or infected sheath to clean the dirty surface. The
pseudo-stems were unfolded and then washed twice with distilled water,
then chopped into small pieces and the sap was collected via mortar and
pestle operation.
• Immediately after extraction, it appears like colorless clean water. With the
passing of time, but, because of the oxidation of phenolic rings present in it,
it slowly turns into a light khaki color.
• The sap contains bio-resins that can act as a binding agent. These bio-
resins are derived from the carbohydrates present in the sap, which have
been quantified using high performance liquid chromatography.
 BA N A N A P S E U D O - S T E M S A P : A S U S TA I N A B L E
A LT E R N AT I V E F O R W O O D E N G L U E S

• Addition of defoamers, plasticizer, preservative and polyvinyl alcohol solution

will be done to support the adhesion properties of the banana sap-based
wooden glue.