Extraction and Characterization of Starch from Butula Lenta Plant

The extraction and processing of starch from agricultural commodities is one of the most important agro industries in the world. Starch was designed by nature as a plant energy reserve, but man has extended the use of starch far beyond this original design. Starch is a product commonly used in different industrial applications and is mainly sourced from food crops. In order to fulfil the current needs of starch, alternative nonfood products are required. Butala lenta is a common plant that is widely grown in many parts of Ethiopia. However, Butula lenta bark contains large amount of starch that could be extracted and used for industrial application. This work focused on extraction of starch from Butala lenta plant to supplement the existing costly starch-based products in the country, specifically for textile industries. The starch was extracted from Butula lenta bark through a wet starch extraction method and its applicability in textile sector particularly in sizing application was tested. The starch yield was 55.6% (on dry weight basis). The performance of extracted starch in textile sector is comparative with commercial starch obtained from Enset. Collection and extraction of starch from Butula lenta plant can be a new source of employment and creates job opportunities and income generations

Keywords: Butula lenta; Starch; Bark; Sizing; Textile