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ARTICLE

Effect of Green Lipid Treatments on the Morphological, Physical, Hygroscopic, and Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fibres

Achille Désiré Betené Omgba1,2,*, Cheryle Manfouo Tchoupmene1, Benoit Ndiwe1,2,*, Antonios N. Papadopoulos3, Remy Legrand Ndoumou Belinga1, Julien Clerc Obam1, Christel Cedrig Laris Nsi Ongo1, Ioanna A. Papadopoulou4, Armel Brice Mvogo1,2, Fabien Betené Ebanda1,2, Atangana Ateba1,2, Antonio Pizzi5
1 Laboratory of Mechanics, Doctoral Training Unit in Engineering Sciences (UFD-SI), University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, ENSET, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
3 Laboratory of Wood Science-Chemistry & Technology, Department of Natural Environment & Climate Resilience, Democritus University of Thrace, 1 km Drama-Mikrochoriou, Drama, Greece
4 Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
5 Laboratory of Studies and Research on Wood Material (LERMAB), University of Lorraine, Nancy, France
* Corresponding Author: Achille Désiré Betené Omgba. Email: email; Benoit Ndiwe. Email: email

Journal of Renewable Materials https://doi.org/10.32604/jrm.2026.02025-0201

Received 29 October 2025; Accepted 27 January 2026; Published online 18 February 2026

Abstract

The high hydrophilicity of pineapple leaf fibres (PALF) limits their use in cement- and gypsum-based composites exposed to moisture. This study evaluates, for the first time, the combined effect of palm kernel oil and beeswax on the hygroscopic resistance and mechanical stability of PALF. The fibres were functionalised with three formulations (oil, wax, and a 1:2 oil/wax blend) applied at different mass ratios (CR = 0.5–2). Treatments increased the average bundle diameter by up to +46% (238 μm) and reduced density down to 1.06 g/cm3. Hygroscopically, water absorption decreased from 202.4% (raw fibres) to 76.3% (CR = 2), representing a maximum reduction of 59.4% in saline medium, while moisture regain dropped from 27.9% to 14.6% (−47.7%). The oil/wax blend proved most effective, simultaneously reducing water absorption (−51.2%) and moisture regain (−46.8%) at CR = 1. Mechanically, the fibres retained tensile strength (415.2 vs. 460.8 MPa, +11% at CR = 1) and exhibited enhanced ductility (+62.5%, with elongation at break increasing from 1.6% to 2.6%), without significantly altering Young’s modulus (12.3 to 10 GPa). Water absorption kinetics were accurately described by the Czel and Mohsenin models (R2 > 0.98). These findings clearly demonstrate that bio-based lipid coatings can provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical treatments. They improve hygroscopic resistance and preserve mechanical integrity of PALF, providing original quantitative data for their integration into durable cement- and gypsum-based composites subjected to humid or cyclic wet-dry conditions.

Graphical Abstract

Effect of Green Lipid Treatments on the Morphological, Physical, Hygroscopic, and Mechanical Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fibres

Keywords

Pineapple leaf fibres; green functionalisation; water absorption; mechanical performance; lipid coating

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