In this work, the molasses solutions were prepared by dissolving
in distilled water with a magnetic stirrer for 5–10 min. Solutions
of molasses, in dosages of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 18% based on
oven-dried weight of pulp, were added to 1% slurry of unbeaten
and beaten pulps. The suspension was then diluted with distilled
water to 0.6% and mixed for 10 min.
For evaluation of various pulps, handsheets were made in a
British handsheet former as per TAPPI Standard T 205 sp-02. Prior
to handsheet making, the OCC pulp was disintegrated in a standard
disintegrator at 15,000 rpm for 30 min. For each set, 6 handsheets,
each having an area of 200 cm2 and basis weight of 120 g/m2, were
made by taking 800 mL of pulp slurry at 0.12% consistency. Twostage
pressing was carried out on the sheets before air-drying them
in standard metal rings. Formulations of the mixtures and abbreviations
used for the respective mixtures prepared are given in