DETERMINATION OF THE PULP YIELD AND HEMICELLULOSE CONTENT IN WATER HYACINTH (EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES)

This study investigated the pulp yield and hemicellulose content of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) with the aim of assessing its potential as a non-woody raw material for pulp and paper production. Fresh water hyacinth samples were collected, dried, and subjected to soda pulping for pulp yield determination, while hemicellulose content was quantified using standard extraction methods. The results showed that the average pulp yield was 42.47 ± 1.15%, while the hemicellulose content was 26.83 ± 1.26%. These values fall within the reported ranges for non-woody biomass such as rice straw and bagasse, indicating the suitability of water hyacinth for industrial applications. Although the pulp yield was slightly lower than that of conventional hardwood species, the hemicellulose content was comparable, suggesting favorable bonding and strength properties in pulp. The findings highlight the potential of water hyacinth as a supplementary raw material for pulp production, thereby converting an invasive aquatic weed into a valuable resource and offering a sustainable approach to both environmental management and industrial diversification. Further research on process optimization and paper quality assessment is recommended to maximize its applicability.