The Biology of the Genus Ceiba, a Potential Source for Sustainable Production of Natural Fiber

1. Introduction

Natural fibers are obtained from different plants and animals and have many uses, both locally and industrially. Although the popularization of oil-based fibers has reduced the historic demand of natural fibers, with synthetic fibers holding about 58% of total fiber use by 2013, it is estimated that production of natural fibers worldwide corresponded to approximately 33 million tons by the same year. About 96% of all natural fibers produced are derived from plants, with cotton accounting for 79% of total production, while other plant-based fibers, such as jute, hemp, sisal, coir or kapok, contribute to about 18% [1].

In recent years, there has been increasing concern on the sustainability and negative impacts on the environment posed not only by oil-based fibers, but also by fibers naturally sourced or regenerated from cellulose [2]. For instance, cotton is the most widespread plant-based fiber; about 80 countries produce cotton commercially, occupying approximately 2.5% of the farmable land around the world [1]. Still, cotton production requires about 25% of the total insecticide and 10% of total pesticides produced worldwide, as well as intensive irrigation with an estimated 7000–29,000 L of water required to produce 1 kg of cotton [3]. Meanwhile, the other fiber-producing species are exploited at smaller scales around the globe and could open an opportunity to cope with the need of sustainable and environmentally friendly production of natural fibers. Some of these alternative fibers, such as kapok, need to be mixed with other fibers to be properly spun for textile production. However, by incorporating kapok in the production of other synthetic or cotton fibers, it could be possible to reduce the total environmental footprint of the finished products.

“Kapok” is a common term used to identify a type of “seed fiber” (e.g., cotton) produced mainly by two plant species known as “kapok trees”: Bombax ceiba L. (Malvaceae Juss., also known as “red cotton tree” or “red silk-cotton”), and Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Malvaceae, also known as “silk-cotton” or “Java cotton”). There is usually confusion in the literature as to which of the two species is used as the source of “kapok”, though most of the information regarding the physical and chemical properties of kapok fibers comes from C. pentandra. It is noteworthy to mention that cotton, jute and kapok, three of the main fiber-producing plants, belong to the Malvaceae family. As observed in taxonomic revisions of the subfamilies within the Malvaceae, there are many other genera aside from Bombax L. and Ceiba Mill. that belong to the “kapok clade” and produce floss-bearing fruits, such as the genera Pachira Aubl., Eriotheca Schott and Endl. or Pseudobombax Dugand [4], though the viability of producing fiber or cellulose from these species remains to be explored. C. pentandra is cultivated and found widely spread in several plantations in Southeast Asia, where most of the countries that produce, and export kapok fibers are located. Before WWII, kapok trees were an important cash crop because the fiber was extensively used in life jackets and aviation clothing, among other things. In the 1960s, as a result of the massive production of synthetic fibers, the kapok trade declined substantially [5]. By 2015, Indonesia was one of the largest producers and exporters of kapok in the world, followed by Thailand, which are the two countries on the FAO database [6,7]. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increasing interest in studying the properties of kapok. This fiber has been found to be environmentally friendly and biodegradable as well as having anti-bacterial and anti-mite properties. Most of the research that has been carried out is related to materials science and engineering. For example, potential applications of kapok fiber are related to oil sorbents [6]. Still, the production of kapok fiber has had a slight declining trend, as seen in Figure 1 [7].

Aside from the economic importance of C. pentandra, several species from the genus are regarded as culturally and environmentally important species; they are found incorporated in local rituals almost everywhere [8]. In Mexico, the Mayan and Aztec pre-Hispanic cultures considered C. pentandra and C. aesculifolia (Kunth) Britten and Baker f. respectively, as sacred trees that connected the human world with the place where the Gods lived [9,10,11]. In Guatemala, C. pentandra is considered the national tree [12]. In west Africa, C. pentandra is also regarded as a sacred tree [8], while in Asia, cultivated kapok offers an important source of seasonal jobs and income for the kapok-producing countries [1]. In this review we will focus on C. pentandra and other species of the genus Ceiba as potential sources of sustainable kapok, as well as other ecological and cultural benefits.

2. Characteristics of the Genus Ceiba

The genus Ceiba comprises 18 species, 17 of which are naturally distributed in the Neotropics. Ceiba species are trees usually between 10 to 25 m tall, with some species reaching above 50 m (C. pentandra, C. lupuna P.E. Gibbs and Semir), or as small treelets of about 2 m tall, such as like C. jasminodora (A. St.-Hil.) K. Schum. [13]. They present digitate composite leaves with serrated or plain borders, and characteristic aculeate trunks and branches [14]. Some species, such as C. chodatii (Hassl.) Ravenna, C. speciosa (A. St.-Hil.) Ravenna, C. glaziovii (Kuntze) K. Schum., and C. pubiflora (A. St.-Hil.) K. Schum., present ventricose or “swollen” trunks, which explain some of the common names given to these trees in South America, such as “palo borracho” due to the bottle-shaped trunk or “barriguda” as in having a swollen belly [14]. The flowers present a corolla conformed by five petals, which are diverse in size and color, ranging from pale tones, such as white, ivory, yellow or light pink, to vibrant colors, such as pink or red, and sometimes with yellow tones towards the base. In some cases, the petals present dark colored striations. The fruits are woody capsules that contain a modified endocarp into long, tubular trichomes that constitutes the kapok fiber, in which the seeds are imbedded. This fiber facilitates seed dispersion through wind. Due to the diversity of flower morphology, Ceiba species are pollinated by several species of bats, butterflies, bees and hummingbirds [14]. In Figure 2, we present some representative illustrations of the different flowers, leaves and trunk shapes found within the genus. Most species are deciduous and flower when leafless; the flowers are usually short-lived and present crepuscular anthesis. These characteristics have hampered the taxonomic efforts of identification and classification of the clade [14]. In Table 1, we present a short compilation of morphological characteristics and habitat distribution for each species.

3. Ecology of Ceiba Species

4. A Brief History on the Origin of the Clade Ceiba and the Arrival of Cultivated C. pentandra to Asia

Nowadays, several Ceiba species have been introduced worldwide (Figure 2). In east Africa and Asia, the main purpose was for exploitation of different products derived from these plants [5,8], while in the northern hemisphere, they are mostly regarded as ornamental plants in gardens and botanical collections [40,41]. There has been historical uncertainty on whether the genus Ceiba originated in the Neotropics or in west Africa [8,42], and even some claims of an Asian origin due to its long history of exploitation [43,44]. As presented in Figure 2, all recognized species are present in America, supporting a Neotropical origin [14,15]. The uncertainty arises from the fact that C. pentandra is naturally distributed in both America and Africa, with fossil records of pollen grains about 13,000 years old present in Ghana, suggesting that the species was present prior to any evidence of human-facilitated dispersion in Africa [42]. Although the usual explanation for disjunct distribution of flora between South America and Africa involves an origin of the clade prior to the separation of Gondwana about 96 million years ago (Ma), the study by Dick et al. [42] tested several vicariance hypotheses to explain the disjunct distribution of C. pentandra, finding evidence for one of the few cases of extreme long-distance dispersion from the Neotropics to equatorial Africa after the separation of both continents. This was further supported by the phylogenetic analysis performed by Pezzini et al. [13], where they analyzed 14 Ceiba species in the Neotropics, indicating a Neotropical origin for the clade, with an estimated emergence during the mid-Miocene, about 21 Ma, and the divergence of C. pentandra at 12.7 Ma. Thus, the current knowledge indicates that C. pentandra migrated to west Africa and several characteristics, such as its rapid growth, tolerance to water stress, and a self-compatible mating system, could have contributed to its successful colonization of west Africa. Once established in the African moist semi-deciduous forests, C. pentandra was able to colonize the savannah, generating a smaller tree ecotype (about 10 m high) [5]. Some authors have proposed several subspecies in order to distinguish the American and African from the cultivated forms in Asia. However, Baker (1965) [8] (p. 6), as well as Gibbs and Semir [14] consider that the species should be considered as a single highly polymorphic species. In Africa, there is evidence that both the semi-deciduous forest and the savannah ecotypes can generate hybrids with an intermediate phenotype [8]. One of these hybrids is most likely the origin of cultivated kapok (usually referred to as C. pentandra var. indica) [5].

The introduction of C. pentandra into Asia is still a debated issue, with no definitive answer. However, authors, such as Baker (1965) [8] (p. 6) and Zeven [5], support the notion that the cultivated forms of C. pentandra come from a reduced pool of parental trees, due to the low diversity observed among the different populations present in Asia. In Figure 2, we present the migration routes towards Asia proposed by Baker (1965) [8] (p. 6) and Blench [8]. Some accounts have hypothesized that the Portuguese might have brought the species from America to Africa, and later introduced it to Asia; this was quickly dismissed due to the presence of some pictorial records depicting the species east of the Indian Ocean about 1500 years ago (Steinman 1934, in Blench [8] p. 5), before any possible incursion could be made by the Portuguese [8]. However, Steinman’s claims of the pictorial representations have also been questioned, considering that the paintings might represent some other local species bearing similarities with C. pentandra [8]. Other accounts propose that the species was introduced to India first and then to southwest Asia between 500 BCE and 500 CE and, supported by the pictorial representations presented by Steinman (1934) and Toxopeus (1941, in [5] pp. 271–272), has already been cultivated by the start of the 10th century [5].

5. Kapok Fiber Characteristics and Uses

The kapok fiber, a light fiber with a hollow tubular structure, is about 1 to 2 cm long. The fibers are comprised of microtubes with a mean external diameter of about 10 μm and a wall thickness of 0.1 μm; meanwhile cotton fibers present mean external diameter of about 16.8 μm and a wall thickness of 3.9 μm [45,46]. These characteristics, that provide less strength, were also reported for other species of Ceiba [47]. The cellular origin of the kapok fiber, the cells of the endocarp, facilitates fiber collection, such as cotton lint, as it is not attached to the seed. Cotton fiber originates from the epidermal cells of the seed coat [5,48]. The most common use of the fiber produced by any of the Ceiba species, reported in different regions of the world, is its use as fillers for pillows and cushions. However, due to their hollow structure, kapok fiber aggregates have key properties, including superhydrophobicity and porosity, ideally suited for life-saving supplies due to their maneuverability and increased buoyancy, as well as other attributes that artificial buoyancy materials lack, such as biodegradability, acid/alkali resistibility and natural abundance [45]. For textile uses, kapok fibers are short and light so kapok fiber used for fabrics or yarns must be blended with other cellulosic fibers, such as cotton or rayon, in order to improve its stability [49]. However, blending kapok with cotton or other fibers to make fabrics or yarns could reduce the amount of water and resources used during manufacturing, reducing the overall carbon footprint and environmental impact of the end product, in contrast to a similar product produced entirely of cotton or synthetic fibers. The clothing and textile industries are two of the most environmentally costly industries and face several challenges towards sustainability at every level of production [50]. Thus, diversifying prime materials and eco-friendly manufacturing alternatives will aid towards ameliorating current and future impacts.

Kapok fibers are a potential source of cellulose and nanocellulose, comprised of up to 69% cellulose [51]. The high cellulose content has also been described in fibers of C. speciosa [52] and C. aesculifolia [47], suggesting that the fibers of the different Ceiba species could be an important source of cellulose and nanocellulose, polymers extensively used in biotechnological industries.

Kapok fiber is an excellent oil absorbent due to its hydrophobic nature; it has a high proportion of acetyl groups (approximately 13%). It has been suggested that this fiber could be used to recover oil spilled in water [53]. Moreover, kapok fiber as a natural material that has relatively lower cost and better biodegradability could be a better option compared to usual synthetic products [54].

6. Other Exploitable Resources from Ceiba Species

C. pentandra is also cultivated commercially for its seeds. Each kapok tree bears 1000 to 2000 pods annually that yield about 15 to 25 kg seeds. Chemical analyses of seeds has demonstrated that they are composed of 31–33% protein, 19–22% sugar and 27–28% lipids [55]. Kapok oil, which is extracted from the seeds, is used for the manufacture of the soap and as a substitute for cotton-seed oil. The use this oil as biofuel has also been proposed [44]. The most abundant fatty acids are linoleic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid, and malvalic and sterculic acids have been also identified in C. pentandra and C. speciosa seeds [56,57].

The seeds and roots of Ceiba aesculifolia are commercialized as food in central Mexico, but mostly in the traditional markets of communities where these trees are found [58,59]. The seeds, bark and roots are also used traditionally to treat several illnesses, including gastritis, kidney disorders and skin infections, and to reduce blood sugar levels [58]. The bark also possesses antioxidant properties. A recent study demonstrated that the tubers of C. aesculifolia are edible with a good potential. These tubers contain protein (3.64%), lipids (3.18%) and carbohydrates (68.27%) [60].

7. High Throughput Technologies and Molecular Approaches towards Plant-Resource Management

Over the past 20 years, there has been an important increase in plant genome assemblies. However, half of the 137 land–plant orders lack a representative genome, while 6 orders are over-represented. Malvales, with 32 genomes, is one of these orders with 30 assemblies from species in the Malvaceae family. The Gossypium L. genus is over-represented with 22 genomes and the G. raimondi L. assembly was the first reported for this family in 2012 [61]. In 2018, the genome of Bombax ceiba L. was reported, along with the complete chloroplast and mitochondria genome sequences. The phylogenetic analysis using these genomes showed that B. ceiba has a close relationship with the genus Gossypium [62,63,64]. In 2020, the database MaGenDB was published, which included the genomic information of 13 Malvaceae species. This database could be a useful tool for comparative genomics between Malvaceae species [65].

Meanwhile, genetic information for Ceiba species is limited. Microsatellite markers were developed for C. pentandra in 2003, with aims to explore the mating system, genetic diversity and flow as well as other population dynamics in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazon [25]. In 2019, the chloroplast genome of C. speciosa was sequenced and characterized; the phylogenetic analysis showed that C. speciosa was closest to B. ceiba [66]. In 2020, an extensive transcriptomic study from germinating seeds of C. aesculifolia was reported. About 54,000 transcripts were assembled, representing 12,683 complete coding transcripts with similarity to Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. These transcripts represent most of the putative genes for protein synthesis that participate in the germination process as described for other species, which have been estimated in about 12,000 to 18,000 genes [36,67,68]. These germinating seed transcriptomes included information related to genes that are involved in either abiotic or biotic stress. The genes reported include LEA proteins and heat shock proteins as well as proteins involved in pathogen resistance. These data could be a valuable resource for different molecular, biochemical and cellular studies of Ceiba species related to drought resistance, thermotolerance and fiber development, among other processes.

The genetic bases involved in the regulation of cotton fiber development have been extensively studied [69]. The two genes from the MYB family of transcription factors GhMML3 and GhMML4 have been identified to act as master regulators of cotton fiber initiation. Evolutionary analysis of this gene family revealed that these genes are grouped in two Malvaceae-specific clades and have been detected in Theobroma cacao L., Durio zibethinus Rumph. ex Murray and B. ceiba [70]. The germinating seed transcriptome from C. aesculifolia present information of MYB transcription factors. As expected, all the detected transcripts seem to be orthologous of the A. thaliana genes because the specific MYB genes of Malvaceae are involved in epidermal cell differentiation during fruit and seed development [71].

8. The Future of the Genus Ceiba and Perspectives

Despite the relative cultural importance of the genus in America, there is still insufficient information on the ecology and management towards sustainable exploitation of the different resources they can offer. As seen in previous sections, most of the ecological research has been carried out in the two species widely distributed in north and central America, although the vast majority of species are located in south America (Figure 3). Moreover, in contrast to Asia, exploitation of Ceiba species is either in the form of being ornamental (particularly of C. speciosa and C. chodatti) or it occurs as exploitation of resources at a small scale by local communities. Therefore, there is still much work needed in order to develop sustainable exploitation in the Americas, while also implementing proper conservation and management of wild populations. In the case of C. aesculifolia, due to the exploitation of their reproductive structures and roots, Arellanes-Cancino et al. [72] conducted a study in the valley of Tehuacán-Cuicatlán (Mexico) in order to assess current status of wild populations and offer insight into sustainable management strategies of the species. The inhabitants of the valley have utilized and managed the species over many generations, creating a strong cultural bond with the species, although no formal cultivation occurs [58]. This instead has put some pressure over several populations found within the valley, indicating that some of them could be at risk if no proper measures are implemented [72]. Further demographic studies similar to this study are needed to monitor wild populations, as well as a closer involvement of different social actors, decision-makers and academia in order to protect both the species and the livelihood of the inhabitants of the valley.

9. Conclusions

Although many ecological, physiological and sustainability-oriented aspects on the biology of Ceiba species are still insufficient for full-scale exploitation of the genus, it is evident that there is work in process towards that end. Most of the research presented here must be replicated in understudied species, especially considering the endemic status and the risk of habitat loss that most species face. Still, the species in this genus offer an opportunity to cope with these same threats, due to their ability to withstand environmental stress and human-induced disturbances. They could also offer alternative sources of natural fibers, by designing rational and data-driven strategies for conservation and sustainable exploitation of resources. Including kapok-based fibers into the initial stages of textile manufacturing could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the final products and reduce our dependency of cotton and oil-based fibers, two prime materials with the highest carbon footprints. However, kapok exploitation should also consider the relevance of ad-hoc strategies based on the natural diversity of Ceiba species and the ecological context in which they thrive, while also involving local communities, investors and governments.

Author Contributions

A.G.-d. and X.G.-M. conceptualized the study, reviewed the literature, and wrote the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by Programa de Apoyo a Proyectos de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT UNAM) grant IN210621 to A.G.-d, and by the Project OE001 “Ceiba aesculifolia como especie modelo para el estudio molecular del envejecimiento de las semillas en relación al desempeño germinativo” financed by the Dirección General del Sector Primario y Recursos Naturales Renovables within Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT) and by the Comisión Nacional para la Biodiversidad (CONABIO).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.