Enhancement of Biodegradation of Palm Oil Mill Effluents by Local Isolated Microorganisms.

Mohammadreza Soleimaninanadegani,Soheila Manshad

doi:10.1155/2014/727049

Mohammadreza Soleimaninanadegani, Soheila Manshad

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/727049

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Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the microorganisms associated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) in Johor Bahru state, Malaysia. Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluents (POME) was conducted to measure the discarded POME based on physicochemical quality. The bacteria that were isolated are Micrococcus species, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species, and Staphylococcus aureus, while the fungi that were isolated are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida species, Fusarium species, Mucor species, and Penicillium species. The autoclaved and unautoclaved raw POME samples were incubated for 7 days and the activities of the microorganisms were observed each 12 hours. The supernatants of the digested POME were investigated for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), color (ADMI), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at the end of each digestion cycle. The results showed that the unautoclaved raw POME sample degraded better than the inoculated POME sample and this suggests that the microorganisms that are indigenous in the POME are more effective than the introduced microorganisms. This result, however, indicates the prospect of isolating indigenous microorganisms in the POME for effective biodegradation of POME. Moreover, the effective treatment of POME yields useful products such as reduction of BOD, COD, and color.

Highlights

Palm oil industry has become one of the main Agroindustries in Malaysia
Analytical parameters of palm oil mill effluent (POME) were analyses based on the methods developed and modified by the Department of Environment of Malaysia, DOE [13], such as chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and the color (ADMI unit), which were determined according to the APHA method [14]
The result from this study shows that the microbial species isolated are similar to those found in local POME

Summary

Introduction

Palm oil mills release POME in colossal amounts with its attendant polluting impending. The penetration of palm oil mill has been considered due to its effluents into the waterways and ecosystems remaining a meticulous concern towards the food chain interference and water consumption [3]. This can cause considerable environmental problems if discharged without effective treatment by polluting land and effectively suffocating other aquatic life [4]. Palm oil mills are required to treat their POME prior to discharging it into rivers and streams. In the process of palm oil milling, POME is mainly generated from sterilization and clarification of palm oil in which a large amount of steam and hot water are used [5]

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Results

Conclusion