| Project Name: | Characterisation of Harakeke Resource Streams after Fibre Extraction |
|---|---|
| BPA Number: | BPA24324 |
| Funding Round: | October 2024 |
| Funding Application: | 16/10/24 |
| Report(s): | • Initial TEA report MS1.3 • Lipidomics analysis of harakeke wax (para) MS 2.4 • Report on epicuticle wax mechanical properties determined by DMTA MS2.4 • Harakeke waste steam project (MU) MS3.5 • Final report incl. update on TEA MSs 4.1 4.2 |
| For enquiries contact: | Peter Brorens |
| Phone: | +6433218764 |
| Email: | peter.brorens@agresearch.co.nz |
Summary of Project and Key Findings (for public disclosure):
Muka Textiles Limited’s (MTL) innovative fibre extraction process from Harakeke (Phormium tenax) leaves, yields high quality Muka but also a high proportion of byproduct. This study evaluated three byproduct streams: leaf butts and trimmings, green strippings, and para (epidermal waxy layer) with the leaf butts and green strippings being evaluated with sheep as a potential animal feed, and the para layer being evaluated as a source of lipid and waxy material.
Lipidomic analysis of para via LCMS identified 19 lipid classes, with a profile quite distinct from our reference of Carnauba wax. Solvent extraction yielded relatively low levels of wax from para, and mechanically the wax exhibited lower storage modulus and glass transition temperature than Carnauba wax, with elastic behaviour until melting. The lipid profile suggested applications in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals.
Nutritional assessment of green strippings and discarded leaves showed moderate metabolizable energy (ME), high neutral detergent fibre, and low crude protein, akin to summer-dry pasture. Sheep palatability trials indicated good acceptance, especially for sugar-rich butts, with faster consumption of fresh material. Ensiling finely chopped samples produced silage with comparable ME to tropical grass silages.
Techno-economic analysis highlighted labour as the dominant cost, recommending process acceleration through tools or automation. In the short-term fibre extraction optimization offers greater gains than by-product exploitation. Recommendations include prioritizing labour and machine processing efficiency, exploring higher-value extracts from green streams, such as fibre for papermaking and the Pia Harakeke. Para is a small fraction of the total plant material but is produced by default and has an attractive lipid profile, well suited to a skin care product. The challenge will be to find an economical and acceptable extraction process.
Catalogue of IP Generated by the Project (kept confidential to the BPA)
This project has produced useful data but we do not believe that project has created any protectable IP.
Statement from the industry partner describing the business impact of the project (kept confidential to the BPA):
There have been a number of challenges in the course of replicating a mechanical means that could produce a Muka fibre equal in quality to that of the customary manual method of using a mussel shell however I am very pleased to report that this has been achieved. Mindful that the quality muka fibre only makes up 5-7% of the leaf processed, this project investigated the potential of the remaining plant material that in part can be used as an animal feed and that also proved to be able to be ensiled. The process of producing leaf and para streams for this project has highlighted many challenges but at the same time provided lots of learnings. Connecting with and getting to know Penny Back at Massey University has been great and I look forward to future work with Penny.
The Techno economic analysis provides a reality check but also useful indicator of where to focus my energies in the short-term.
TRL at start of project = 0
TRL at end of project = 1-2
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