Official Grade Designations
- DB-1 (Decorticated Banana Good)
- DB-2 (Decorticated Banana Fair)
- DB-Y (Decorticated Banana Residual)
Criteria for Grade Determination
Four key qualities determine the grade:
- Tensile strength
- Cleaning
- Color
- Length
Tensile Strength
- Primary quality for grading; must meet average strength for the respective grade.
- Usually assessed by visual inspection and hand pulling tests.
- Weakened tensile strength indicates fiber damage.
Cleaning Standards
- Dependent on the clearance between the decorticator blade and block.
- Two categories:
- Good Cleaning: Minimal pulp attached, careful decorticating process (DB-1).
- Fair Cleaning: Some pulp and scales attached, adequate decorticating process (DB-2).
Color Range
- Normal grades range from beige white to dark brown.
- Discolored fibers due to improper processing are graded DB-Y.
Fiber Length Specification
- Normal fiber length is between 0.80 meter to 1.2 meters.
- Fibers shorter than 0.80 meter are graded DB-Y.
- Fiber length affected by the cutting practice of the banana stalk.
Grade Descriptions
- DB-1: Good cleaning; color beige white to light brown; free from streaks; normal length.
- DB-2: Fair cleaning; color light brown to dark brown; may have light streaks; normal length.
- DB-Y: Discolored, weak tensile strength, stained or soiled; fiber length under 0.80 m included.
Implementation
- The Order becomes effective 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation or the official gazette.
This regulation establishes clear, measurable standards for the commercial grading of decorticated banana fiber, vital for quality control and trade consistency in the fiber industry.