| General
info
A giant bomelia native to the Amazonia
and belonging to the pineapple plant family.
Botany
Rosette-forming herbaceous plant.
Leaves are narrow, elongate, up to 40 cm long and 4 cm wide, thick and
concave, green above and glaucous below, with spines in the margins.
Distribution
Recently introduced to the Philippines.
Cultivated.
Parts
utilized
Leaves.
Chemical constituents
and properties
• The curaua fibers showed a
lignin composition of p-hydroxyphenyl:gualacul:syringyl units in 30:29:41
proportion. Pyrolysisx revealed the presence of p-hydroxycinnamic acids
(p-coumaric and ferulic acids) in curaua fibers. The main lipophilic
compounds were long-chain n-fattuy acids, n-fatty alcohols, alpha- and
omega-hydroxyacids, monoglycerides, sterols and waxes.
• The dry curaua fiber is soft to the touch with a very high mechanical
resistance capable to producing high tensions, making it a natural substitute
for glass fiber.
Uses
Folkloric
No known folkloric use in
the Philippines.
In the Amazonia, the medicinal
plant is traditionally used to heal wounds.
Other uses
• The fiber is being tested as a replacement for
fiberglass to reinforce plastic materials for injection in moulded car
parts.
• Also being tested for making hypoallergenic fabrics.
Studies
• Antimicrobial:
Microbiological assays from hydroxyalcoholic extract from the leaves
have shown anti-microbial activity of the plant toward Staphylococcus
aureus.
• Hypoallergenic Material:
With high resistance, low density and recyclability, fibers of the curaua
plant are being tested as replacement for fiberglass to reinforce plastic
materials in moulded car parts and for making hypoallergenic fabrics.
Availability
Wild-crafted
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