Kapok (Ceiba pentandra)

Kapuk randu or Java cotton or silk-cotton or kapok (Ceiba pentandra) is a plant species in Malvaceae, famous for the fruit that creates a snow-like atmosphere with scattered fibers, growing below 500 m above sea level and 1500 rainfall -2500 mm/year.

C. pentandra grows to as high as 60-70 m, tree trunks 3 m in diameter, tree bark brownish green, roots spread horizontally from the ground surface. Stems soar singly without branches or can also be branched and often also found thorns.

The fruit is a source of fiber for mattresses, pillows, clothing, heat insulation and sound proofing. The dried skin of the fruit can be used as fuel. The seeds contain oil which is used as a lubricant, lamp oil and energy raw material.

Cultivation plants generally only grow up to 10-30 m. Tree fruiting first at 4-5 years and economic age up to 60 years. Indonesia produces kapok fiber around 80,000 tons per year and Thailand 40,000-45,000 tons.

Leaves, flowers and young fruit can be eaten. Plants have biomedical potential that has not been much researched. The leaves are commonly used to treat diarrhea, skin disorders, sedatives and pain relievers. Buds to treat asthma.

The leaves produce organic compounds including phenolic 174 mg/g, alkanoid 4.54 mg/g, flavonoids 26 mg/g, tannins 0.48 mg/g, saponins 1.55 mg/g, phytic acid 0.15 mg/g, TUI (trypsin inhibitor) 14.54 mg/g, HUI (hemagglutinin inhibitor) 9.65 mg/g, oxalic acid 0.1 mg/g, palmitic acid and linoleic acid.

Fiber can be used as a hydrophobic-oleophilic absorbent material for cleaning oil spills. Raw fibers are compacted to form packs with a density of 0.02g/cm3 to absorb diesel compounds, hydraulic lubricants (AWS46) and engine lubricants (HD40) of 36, 43, and 45 grams/pack.

This absorbance performance is significantly better than polypropylene (PP) compounds which can only absorb 8-10 grams/pack of fiber for the three compounds. This potential is the basis for increasing cottonwood production and triggering recycling of waste production.

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Ceiba
Species: C. pentandra

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Dlium

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