Question

Define the process of retting.

Answer 1

Retting:

1. This is a process of employing the action of micro-organisms and moisture on plants to dissolve much of the cellular tissues and pectins surrounding bast-fibre bundles and facilitate the separation of the fibre from the stem.
2. Microbes are used in retting to obtain bast fibres. The soft tissues are removed from the fibre plant with the help of bacteria.
3. The hard fibres are obtained by decortication and the soft fibres by ginning process as the machines remove the product from the plant.
4. Example: Jute is associated with the process of Retting.