**Study of Some North African Grasses (***Ampelodesma mauritanica* **and Esparto Grass)**

Maghchiche Abdelhak

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70001

#### **Abstract**

Ampelodesma Mauritanica, commonly called Diss in Arabic very fibrous, is a plant of the family Poaceae, a plant native of northern Africa and southern Europe, is perennial and luxuriant, growing spontaneously in the wild state. Esparto grass in arid and semi-arid regions of North Africa; fight against the turning into desert regions form and was an important contributor in animal grazing and paper making. Natural fibers from plant are nowadays increasingly employed for replacing the synthetic materials due to economic and/or environmental considerations. A. Mauritanica and esparto grass fibers are cellulose-based fibers extracted using alkaline procedure to remove noncellulosic substances such as pectin, lignin, and hemicelluloses. The characterization of extracted fibers from both grass was based on the measurement of the morphological structure, chemical analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, thermal analysis. The use of the natural fibers for composite materials, exhibits many benefits as it is low in weight, ecologically biodegradable, renewable, and cost-effective; it may have a role in local sustainable development in north Africa countries by valorizing these grass. Therefore, these grass materials could be a worthwhile choice for cellulosic fiber supply, and can lead to different useable products in order to improve the grass fiber added value.

**Keywords:** *Ampelodesma mauritanica*, esparto grass, fibers, chemical treatment, fiber extraction, cellulose
