Isolation of Potassium Carbonate from the Banana Plant (Musa Balbisiana Colla) Fiber Ash

Materials and methods for the isolation of potassium carbonate from banana plant fiber ash aqueous extract have been discussed. The extract is highly rich in potassium and carbonate. The soluble component of the banana plant pseudo-stem fiber ash is about 32%, of which 89% is K2CO3. Potassium carbonate of 93% purity can be isolated from the soluble component by fractional crystallization. Thus, banana plant pseudo-stem is a viable and renewable source of potassium carbonate. There is practically no source of potassium carbonate in nature.

Keywords: Banana plant fiber ash, Isolation of potassium carbonate, Source of potassium carbonate, Use of banana plant pseudo-stem.