Macromolecular Composition of Totora (Schoenoplectus californicus. C.A. Mey, Sojak) Stem and Its Correlation with Stem Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Totora is a fast-growing plant with a production potential of up to 58 t of dry mass/ha/year. However, totora has an underappreciated industrial potential. Currently, it is mainly used by indigenous people and occasionally by designers for various design works. If totora is to be used more industrially, we need to thoroughly investigate its properties, especially the mechanical properties of its stems. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive study of totora stems, namely presents its chemical composition, mechanical properties, and also correlations between dimensions of totora stem and its mechanical and chemical properties. The results showed that totora stems are composed mainly of cellulose (49.62% in totora pith and 40.97% in totora rind). Lignin content of totora rind is 20.14%, whereas totora pith consists only of 6.93% lignin. Totora stems exhibited relatively high mechanical properties, tensile strength was 10.52 MPa, compressive strength 1.65 MPa, and bending strength was 7.75 MPa. It was found that mechanical properties nor chemical properties are not correlated with the area of the stem cross section at a level of 0.05. Only one correlation was found at a level of 0.1.