Physical Characterization of the Fibers of Agave salmiana and A. mapisaga (Asparagaceae) from the Mezquital Valley, Mexico

Abstract

In the Mezquital Valley, Mexico, Agave leaf fibers are obtained traditionally from A. mapisaga (cultivar Ma’ye), A. salmiana (cultivars Chino cenizo and Xa’mni) and A. salmiana spp. crassispina (cultivar It’ui). The purpose of the study was to analyze some basic physical characteristics of the fibers from these four cultivars that are relevant for textile production. Measurements were taken of length (cm), diameter (µm), linear density (dtex), tensile strength (N), and color. Fibers were sampled from the marginal and central parts of young leaves. Statistical analysis was carried out on a completely randomized design, with a 4 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement. The longest and whitest central and marginal fibers were those from cultivars Ma’ye and Xa’mni; the thickest fibers were the central and marginal fibers from cultivar Chino cenizo, and the thinnest were the central and marginal fibers from cultivar Xa’mni. The finest fibers were the central and marginal ones from cv. It’ui; all the marginal fibers, regardless of their cultivar, have a similar tensile strength; but of the central fibers the most resistant were the ones from cv. Xa’mni. When comparing the central and marginal fibers from each cultivar, invariably the central fibers are the longest.

Keywords

• leaf fibers
• ixtle
• traditional botanical knowledge
• hand scraping
• tensile strength