Apocynum fibers

Catalog	ACMA00030694
Description	Apocynum fiber has a better character than linen or ramie. It shows a distinct silky shine, the stiffness of flax, the softness of cotton. It contains cardio tonic glycoside and many kinds of amino-acids which perform medical care effects which other raw materials of textiles so not have. Therefore apocynum is called "The king of natures wild fibers". Texiles made of apocynum not only wear comfortably, but also have health care effect. Furthermore, Apocynum is said to contain anti-bacterial properties.
Specification	cottonized for cotton spinning (cutlength 32-35mm); fineness 3.7 - 4.9 microns

Case Study

Analysis of the Antibacterial Mechanism of Apocynum Fiber

Xu, Xuanxuan, et al. Industrial Crops and Products, 2020, 151, 112419.

Previous studies have verified the antibacterial activity of textiles made of apocynum fiber through fabric testing. This work proposes the hypothesis of transformation and deposition to explain the antibacterial activity mechanism of apocynum technical fibers. In addition, an in vitro experiment was designed and conducted to simulate the chemical reaction pathway of antibacterial substances (flavonoids and related polyphenols) in apocynum bast during chemical degumming.
· Proposed Mechanism of Antibacterial Action
During chemical degumming, antibacterial compounds from A. venetum bast may transform into insoluble, high-molecular-weight substances that deposit within the fiber. These derivatives maintain bacteriostatic properties, potentially ensuring the retention of bioactivity after processing and explaining the fiber's antimicrobial capabilities.
· In Vitro Evidence
MALDI-TOF-MS analysis confirmed that quercetin oxidation in hot, strongly alkaline solutions (pH 13) with air produced higher molecular weight products. Water-soluble polyphenols from A. venetum bast also precipitated in hot alkali, and these precipitates displayed enhanced antibacterial activity compared to the original polyphenols. SDeIR and Raman spectroscopy detected flavonoid derivative vibrational modes within the complex A. venetum fiber, supporting the presence of these compounds.

Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Apocynum Fiber Reinforced Polylactic Acid (PLA) Composites

CAI, Xinjuan, et al. Journal of Donghua University (Eng. Ed.), 2021, 38, 2.

In this work, apocynum fiber (A) reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) composites were prepared by compression molding process, and the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites were studied. Through a series of comparisons with ramie fiber (R) reinforced composites.
· Composite Production
Four reinforcement mat types were created: Apocynum pre-needle punched, Apocynum finish needle-punched, ramie finish needle-punched, and a 50/50 Apocynum/ramie finish needle-punched blend. Mats were prepared through opening, mixing, carding, and then bonded by pre- or finish needling. Composites were formed using four-layer fiber mats and five-layer PLA films, with compression molding at 180°C.
· Key Results
Apocynum fibers exhibited an average tensile strength of 8.3 cN/dtex and a 3.5% elongation at break. Finish needle-punched Apocynum mats showed a 11.6% increase in tensile strength and a 14.7% increase in tensile modulus compared to pre-needle punched mats. However, bending strength and modulus decreased by 23.4% and 16.3%, respectively, likely due to increased needle punching leading to tighter fiber structures and weaker fiber-resin bonding. The 50/50 blend displayed the highest tensile and bending properties. SEM analysis revealed more severe Apocynum fiber debonding than ramie, potentially due to weaker interfacial bonding from the smoother Apocynum fiber surface. Thermal property analysis showed similar behavior across all four types.