Integrated kenaf bioprocessing system - biozyme ultimate debark unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to an integrated system (100) for extracting kenaf bast fibre from a kenaf plant. The integrated system (100) comprises at least one enzymatic retting tank (80) configured to receive green or un-retted kenaf ribbon for enzymatic retting, a retting quality monitoring system (120) operatively connected to the enzymatic retting tank (80), a water pump (60), and a solvent recovery system connected to the enzymatic retting tank (80). The retting quality monitoring system (120) comprises a processing unit, at least one temperature probe (18), at least one pH probe (28), a thermostat (20), and an air compressor (50) configured to monitor and control temperature, pH, and aeration rate during the enzymatic retting process. The solvent recovery system comprises a sand filter (88) and a plurality of filtration tanks (90, 94, 98) configured to filter effluent discharged from the enzymatic retting tank (80) to remove lignin and hemicellulosic material and recover water containing enzyme for recycling into the integrated system (100). The integrated system (100) is configured to perform in-situ enzymatic retting using an enzyme composition comprising cellulase, pectinase and xylanase under controlled processing conditions with solvent recovery for extraction of kenaf bast fibre.