2.1. Banana Rachis Samples

The lignocellulosic residue was rachis from banana plants (Musa paradisiaca var. barraganete) cultivated and collected in the region of Guayas, Ecuador. 1000 g of samples were locally cut in small pieces and sent to our laboratory for subsequent treatments. The material was ground up, sieved using a <0.5 mm mesh size to obtain a homogeneous powder and then dried at 60 °C overnight (Figure 1). Sample was stored in a desiccator with CaCl₂ at room temperature.

Samples of raw banana rachis (a) and rachis powder after grinding and drying (b).