Evaluating the Absorption Properties of Plantain Fiber-Based Absorbent Cores for Sustainable Sanitary Pads

Sanitary pads are vital for feminine hygiene, and there is growing interest in developing affordable and eco-friendly alternatives. Among various materials explored for this purpose, plantain fibers have received limited attention. This study aims to fill this research gap by investigating the use of plantain fibers extracted from waste pseudo-stems as absorbent cores for sanitary pads. The fibers underwent chemi-thermomechanical treatment, followed by bleaching with 5 wt% hydrogen peroxide. Comprehensive characterization using FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that the treated plantain fibers (PFAC) retained essential functional groups conducive to effective absorption. The absorbent cores were rigorously tested for absorption capacity, fluid retention, liquid strike-through, rewet, and absorption rate. The PFAC demonstrated an absorption capacity of 810% and a strike-through time of 7.8 s seconds, while the commercial sample (Always) showed an absorption capacity of 700% and a strike-through time of 2.8 s. Although the PFAC had slightly lower fluid retention (90.7%) compared to the commercial samples, it exhibited superior absorption characteristics. This study highlights the potential of utilizing waste plantain pseudo-stems as a sustainable and efficient resource for developing absorbent materials, offering a promising alternative for environmentally conscious and cost-effective sanitary pad production.