Zoology - Biotechnology and Its Applications Question with Solution | TestHub

Retting is the process of extracting fibres from the long-lasting life stem or bast of the bast fibre plants. Retting is facilitated by anaerobic butyric acid bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium tetani and Clostridium perfringens. These bacteria primarily decompose the plant pectin thus, freeing the fibres. Related Theory Usually mature stems of harvested jute plants are allowed to ret in pond or ditch water. It is a preferential rotting process to separate the fibre from woody stem without damaging the fibre cellulose. The microbes consume the non-fibrous cementing materials mainly pectin and hemicellulose. It causes degradation of fibre cellulose while under retting causes incomplete removal of gummy materials viz., pectic substances.