Flax fibres fight fungi
In the early 20th century, New Zealand’s flax industry was a significant money earner, supplying fibre for the world’s rope and linen trade, but the advent of non-renewable synthetic fibres made the more labour-intensive natural version all but redundant. Now, new research has uncovered a hitherto unknown property of our native flax Phormium tenax (harakeke). It has potentially valuable anti-fungal properties.
Harakeke (flax)
Harakeke (flax) can be used as rongoā to fight infection. It can be used as a treatment for boils and wounds. A poultice of the root can be used to treat intestinal parasites.
Research into stabilising flax fibres in old cloaks
The finding was made during research on how to prevent the deterioration of some of New Zealand’s oldest Māori cloaks. In a press release, Victoria University of Wellington’s Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr Gerald Smith says his team was trying to find ways of stabilising the flax fibres in old cloaks, which become brittle after exposure to light and humidity over time.
“As well as finding a way of halting this deterioration, we also found that the enhanced resistance some harakeke have to fungal growth means it could ultimately find new uses in conservation and textiles — as well as in packaging that would prevent food from spoiling.”
Flax fibres produce anti-fungal compound
The researchers discovered that the harakeke fibres produce a chemical compound called coumarin, a fragrant substance that we can smell in freshly cut grass that has anti-fungal properties and repels pests.
Extracting flax fibres
The traditional technique of extracting flax fibres from a leaf with a mussel shell.
Dr Smith says that they also identified the presence of a number of metal ions in the flax fibres, which could also be contributing to its anti-fungal properties. “We know the anti-fungal properties are there, but we don’t yet fully understand the chemistry or how to control or enhance those properties.”
Potential for innovative products
Dr Smith says the research has the potential to lead to a range of innovative new products.
“One possibility is the development of innovative textiles that are protected from fungal attack by natural, environmentally-friendly means. Another is the development of packaging for food such as fruit, which spoils easily.
“Many existing anti-fungal treatments are harmful both to health and the environment, so there is strong demand for effective, natural and volatile anti-fungal agents that we can use in food storage.”
Applications are also anticipated in the museum sector for storing and protecting heritage items.
Problem of ‘vinegar syndrome’ in museums
Experimenting on different varieties of flax supplied by Landcare Research from New Zealand’s national collection, Dr Smith says they found that harakeke has a particularly high content of a type of sugar polymer called hemi-cellulose, which results in the production of acetic acid causing deterioration of fibres.
“It’s known as ‘vinegar syndrome’ and is a menace in the museum environment – because as well as accelerating damage on the item producing it, it is volatile and can float off and affect other exhibits. Another big problem we found is with fibres that were dyed black. The dye was usually made from a mud rich in iron salts, called paru, which also contains acidic materials.”
As part of her Victoria University master’s project, Te Papa Conservator Rangi Te Kanawa worked with Dr Smith to develop a treatment for the affected fibres. The treatment, which is sprayed on, uses sodium alginate and zinc acetate to bind the harakeke fibres together, neutralising the acid and slowing the deterioration.
Rangi Te Kanawa with korowai
Textile conservator Rangi Te Kanawa (Ngāti Maniapoto) with a damaged korowai from Te Papa Tongarewa collection.
As well as the spray being used on cloaks at Te Papa, it is now also being used by conservators in other museums overseas.
Activity idea
Māori have long been aware of native plants, including harakeke, which can be used to treat or prevent infection. Your students may like to use this activity to find out more about rongoā Māori.
Related content
Harakeke preservation
Find out more about the work undertaken by Rangi Te Kanawa in preserving dyed harakeke garments in the Preserving harakeke taonga article and video. Black is back is an article featuring Rangi Te Kanawa, with supporting teacher resources, from the Ministry of Education’s Connected series.
Read about the work undertaken by researchers and Māori weavers investigating the collection of harakeke plants at the Dunedin Botanic Garden in the article, Harakeke under the microscope.
Fungi
Are you teaching in a te reo Māori immersion environment at a kura? Ngā Hekaheka o Aotearoa is a teacher guide to support the student booklet on Fungi.
The aim is to provide a resource on science in te reo Māor for students years 7–10. The subject matter aims to describe the form, function and importance of fungi followed by examples of Māori knowledge and uses of fungi. It allows students to draw a distinction between fungi, plants and where it sits in the eco-system.
Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (TMOA) Link: This resource aligns to the Pūtaiao learning area, Te Ao Tūroa strand, and Te Raupori and Te Taiao sections.
Useful link
Listen to this Radio NZ programme Dr Rangi Te Kanawa: working to conserve our taonga kakahu from May 2022.
