Valorization of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Waste Enhanced with Molasses for Erythritol Production

The use of oil palm empty fruit bunch, an agricultural waste from oil palm plantations, as a feeding material for earthworms during composting provides an alternative source of nutrients for plants. Information regarding the ability of earthworms in processing phosphorus-enriched empty oil palm fruit bunch and their effects on plants is still lacking. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of phosphorus-enriched empty oil palm fruit bunches applied as fresh, composted or vermicomposted media in supplying nutrients on a test crop, Setaria splendida L., grass planted on Bungor (Typic Kandiudult) soil. The soil treated with phosphorus-enriched vermicomposted empty oil palm fruit bunch increased the grass dry matter yield significantly higher compared to that treated with composted empty oil palm fruit bunch and control. The root volume of vermicomposted- and composted- empty oil palm fruit bunches treated soil was similar but significantly greater than the control. There was significant interaction between dosage and type of growing media on cumulative N, P, K, Ca, and Mg uptake. However, these factors did not show significant influence on total N, P, Ca and Mg in the soil amended with composted oil palm empty fruit bunch at the end of the experiment. In general, phosphorus-enriched vermicomposted- and phosphorus-enriched composted- empty oil palm fruit bunches treated soil resulted in a greater positive effect on growth and nutrient uptake of S. splendida, and also on the total nutrient content in soil except for total K. Total soil K in the control treatment was 242.0 mg/kg and significantly higher compared to soil treated with composted- (173 mg/kg) and vermicomposted- empty oil palm fruit bunches (167 mg/kg). The vermicomposted empty oil palm fruit bunch resulted in better growth performance of the S. splendida in comparison to composted- and fresh- empty oil palm fruit bunches due to the readily available P and other nutrients being readily available to the plants.

National energy needs have been met by non-renewable energy resources, such as natural gas, petroleum, coal and so on. However, non-renewable energy reserves are depleting and there will be an energy crisis. Conversion of biomass into energy is one solution to overcome this. Indonesia, with its biodiversity, has enormous biomass potential, especially from oil palm plantations and also sugar cane plantations. From the oil palm plantation point of view, oil palm shells and oil palm empty fruit bunches are side products. These wastes can be treated with gasification technology to produce gas fuel. The gasification tool model used in this study is a downdraft gasifier equipped with a cyclone to separate gases with solids or liquids resulting from the gasification process. The results of the gasification process show that the more feeds are introduced, the more syngas is produced during the gasification process. The more feeds, the longer the syngas release time. The two variables have a correlation, that is, between the weight of syngas and the time for syngas removal to increase in line with the addition of the amount of feed entered. Syngas analysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches contains 4.959% H2 and 5.759% CO. Whereas the analysis of syngas of oil palm shells contained 2.524% H2, 6.391% CO, and 0.895% CH4.

Preparation of oil palm (Elaeis) empty fruit bunch activated carbon by microwave-assisted KOH activation for the adsorption of methylene blue

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) are by-products of the processing of oil palm mills. The addition of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms is carried out to improve nitrogen content in OPEFB compost and it can be used as a growing medium to increase the quality of vegetable crops. The aim of this study is to analyse the potential of empty fruit bunch composts enriched with Azotobacter for improving pak choi (Brassica rapa v. chinensis) growth. The process involved the conversion of OPEFB by fortifying it with Azotobacter into value-added composts. Temperature, pH, conductivity, and nutrient characteristics of composts were analyzed during the composting process. The Completely Randomized Design was conducted to observe the potential of Azotobacter-fortified composts on pak choi growth. The growing media made in seven combinations, namely: F0: 100% soil (control); T1P1: 30% OPEFB composts + 70% soil; T1P2: 50% OPEFB composts + 50% soil; T1P3: 70% OPEFB composts + 30% soil; T2P1: 28% OPEFB composts + 2% Azotobacter sp. + 70% soil; T2P2: 48% OPEFB composts + 2% Azotobacter sp. + 50% soil; T2P3: 68% OPEFB composts + 2% Azotobacter sp. + 30% soil. The research revealed that the highest pH and conductivity values are 8.46 and 1.16 mS.cm-1, which occurred in Azotobacter assisted OPEFB composting. In the application of the compost as the growing media for pak choi, the morphological parameter showed significant effects. The Azotobacer assisted compost promoted significant increase in plant height (23,7 cm), root dry weight (2,84 g), shoot dry weight (2,39 g), root length (28,56 cm), leaf area (73,37 cm2), and number of stomata (36,70 cm-1).

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) is one of the major biomass wastes produced from palm oil extraction process. Due to high cellulose content in OPEFB, the cellulose fibers in OPEFB can be extracted and utilized in versatile applications as a sustainable process technology development. Among multiple pre-treatment processes, chemical pre-treatment is most efficient for the removal of hemicellulose and lignin in extracting high purity cellulose from lignocellulosic biomass. With the undisputed importance of green technology for the progress of our society, it is vital to engage and leverage on green technology in chemical pre-treatment method for extracting cellulose from OPEFB. The objective of this study is to explore a green extraction method for cellulose from OPEFB using low concentration and eco-friendly chemicals. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscope was used to detect the functional groups and to observe the surface morphology of OPEFB, de-waxed OPEFB fibers, delignified OPEFB fibers, acid hydrolyzed OPEFB fibers, and OPEFB extracted cellulose fibers at different stages in confirming the removal of wax, lignin, and hemicellulose from OPEFB extracted cellulose at the end of the extraction process. Crystallinity index increased from 28% for OPEFB to 72% for the OPEFB extracted cellulose, affirms the degradation of OPEFB’s amorphous structure and transforms into higher crystallinity structure. This work has successfully developed a green extraction method for OPEFB cellulose fibers as part of sustainable process technology which would promote the utilization of lignocellulosic agricultural waste from palm oil industry in various applications.

The National Biomass Strategy was envisioned to foster the efficient valorisation and management of Oil Palm Waste (OPW) in Malaysia. However, the proposed Circular Energy Economy is hampered by poor OPW fuel properties, inefficient conversion techniques, and process design. This study explored the valorisation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB) Briquettes through fluidised bed gasification with the aim of exploiting the superior qualities of pelletised biomass and excellent reactor dynamics of fluidised beds. Gasification of OPEFB Briquettes was examined from 600 – 800 °C and equivalence ratio, ER is 0.20 – 0.25 under atmospheric pressure. The fuel properties and chemical exergy of OPEFB briquettes were characterised. The gasification of OPEFB briquettes produced high biochar yield and bio syngas with higher heating value from 1.15 – 3.05 MJ/m3 whereas the Cold Gas Efficiency (CGE) and Carbon Conversion Efficiency (CCE) ranged from 6.54 – 17.34 % and 43.37 – 78.16 %. Bed agglomeration and defluidisation typically encountered in pulverised OPEFB gasification were minimal during the gasification of OPEFB briquettes. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that OPEFB Briquettes gasification is a practical route for valorising OPW into renewable energy and sustainable fuels.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) holds a very strategic role in the Indonesia economy. Plants that have reached the economical age of 25 years need to be replanted using qualified oil palm seedling. The qualified seedling is obtained through proper fertilization. The combination of NPK fertilizer and organic material of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) which has been given a cellulolytic bacterial consortium can provide sufficient nutrients for the growth of oil palm seedlings. The study aimed to determine the effect of giving a combination of OPEFB organic material, cellulolytic bacterial consortium, and NPK fertilizer on the growth of oil palm seedling (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) at main nursery. This experiment used a single factor experiment arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments were a 100% NPK, a OPEFB compost, a 50% NPK + OPEFB compost, a 50% NPK + OPEFB + Cellulolytic bacterial consortium, and a OPEFB + cellulolytic bacterial consortium. The results showed that the application of inorganic fertilizers combined with organic fertilizers (a OPEFB compost and a OPEFB + cellulolytic bacterial consortium) had a good effect on each parameter. Giving organic fertilizer without inorganic fertilizer had not affected plant growth on all parameters. Application of a OPEFB compost and a OPEFB + cellulolytic bacterial consortium can reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers by 50%.

Utilization of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) is limited due to its low nutrient value but high lignocellulose content. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL, Hermetia illucens L.) is capable of converting organic materials into high-value products. A co-digestion strategy combining low-nutrition OPEFB and other high-nutrient oil palm by-products, i.e., oil palm kernel meal (OPKM), is an approach to enhance the digestibility of oil palm biomass by BSFL. However, the information on the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in OPKM, OPEFB, and their co-digested substrates after treatment with BSFL is scarce. Therefore, this experiment evaluated the growth and bioconversion potential of BSFL grown on OPKM, OPEFB, and their mixture. Three feed treatments of 100% OPEFB, 100% OPKM, and a mixture (50% OPEFB: 50% OPKM) were given to larvae to observe growth, bioconversion potential of BSFL, and substrate degradation. In addition, the changes of the substrates morphology were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that an increase of larval biomass weight by 634% was obtained in a substrates combination of OPEFB and OPKM, with a reduction in the feed conversion ratio to 84% in twenty-five days, as compared to a 100% OPEFB feed. SEM results indicate that the surface of OPKM and OPEFB altered significantly after being consumed by BSFL. Ultimately, the current findings confirmed the potential of BSFL as bioconversion agent in the utilization of low-nutrition organic materials with high lignocellulosic content, such as OPEFB by using co-digestion method. This finding is promising to be implemented for treatment and utilization of palm oil mills by-products.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of steam explosion of oil palm frond (OPF) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) on nutrient composition and ruminal fermentation characteristics in vitro. The results showed that steam explosion decreased NDF (P < 0.01), ADF (P < 0.01), and hemicellulose content (P < 0.01) in OPF and EFB. Steam explosion improved the effective energy value of OPF and EFB. In vitro fermentation results revealed that 72-h gas production capacity of OPF and EFB increased by 12.60and 85.06% (P < 0.01), respectively, after steam explosion. Steam explosion had a tendency to improve the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) (P = 0.082). In conclusion, steam explosion of OPF and EFB reduced NDF, ADF, and hemicellulose content and increased gas production and TVFA concentration.

Railway brake block is one of the most important components of the braking system of a railway vehicle. Materials for railway brake blocks are commonly made from metal or composite. The metallic brake blocks have some disadvantages that are heavy, low wear-resistant and has potential in generating a spark. While the composite brake blocks do not have those disadvantages. Natural fiber from oil palm empty fruit bunches as the waste from the production of palm oil can be used as a composite constituent. This composite brake blocks made from oil palm empty fruit bunches as reinforcement, phenol resin as matrix, and alumina, magnesium oxide and iron powder as a friction modifier. Density, hardness, coefficient of friction, compressive strength and flexural strength tests were carried out to determine the mechanical characteristic of the composite railway brake block material. The railway brake block test results consist of the density of 1.96 g/cm3, the hardness of 57.6 HRB, coefficient of friction of 0.43, the compressive strength of 37.1 MPa, and flexural strength of 33 MPa. There are three samples of volume fraction combination with 20% of oil palm empty fruit bunch in sample 1, 15% oil palm empty fruit bunch in sample 2 and 10% oil palm empty fruit bunch in sample 3. Percentage of MgO is adjusted to compensate the volume fraction of oil palm empty fruit bunch in the sample. Sample test results show that composite with volume fraction 10% of oil palm empty fruit bunch, phenolic resin of 30%, Al2O3 of 25%, MgO of 20%, iron powder of 15% has better mechanical properties for the alternative composite railway brake block material as compared to the other two.

Alkaline biochar oil palm empty fruit bunches is the result of converting oil palm empty fruit bunch waste from the palm oil mill. The waste converted into resources that can be function to repaired / transformed edacid soils into agricultural land alkaline biochar oil palm empty fruit bunches is the result of converting oil palm empty fruit bunch waste from the palm oil mill. The waste converted into resources that can be function to repaired / transform acid soils into agricultural land. The purpose study is to examine the ability of Biochar Alkaline Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches and their effect on the total soil microbial population, the number of root nodules, and the growth parameters of soybean plants in the Inceptisol Tanjung Morawa Medan acid soil. The Screenhouse of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of HKBP Nommensen Medan conducted the greenhouse test phase research by using a completely randomized design research design. Field-testing confirmed by a Dessin factorial randomized trial design. Determination of Total Population of soil microbial cups at both stages of testing is to conduct at the Biology Laboratory of the University of North Sumatra, Meda. (The research method uses all statistical observations in the form of analysis of variance analysis (ANOVA). The results of the different parameter tests followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test the results showed the influence of Biochar as acid amelioration for acid soil affected the total microbial population and the growth of soybean plants. The research (including chemical and physical properties) with various parameters of other plant elements proved that the alkaline biochar of the palm oil-palm bunches was able to replace agricultural lime (calcite) in repairing acid soils. Further research results show the use of biochar oil palm empty fruit bunches has a more diverse effect; because in addition to improving soil chemical properties such as pH and alkaline nutrient levels, this material also helps improve soil physical conditions in terms of porosity and acidic soil water systems, compared to agricultural lime only has a chemical effect. The advantages of biochar oil palm empty fruit bunches are renewable resources (replacing resources) replacing agricultural lime (calcite) which is a mining material that is classified as an unrenewable resource.

Indonesia as the global largest oil palm producer generates tremendous solid wastes such as oil palm trunks, fronds, and empty fruit bunch (EFB). Lignocellulose could be a good feedstock candidate for biorefinery application. Lactic acid is one of the major biorefinery products applied in chemical industries, food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and others. One of the most rising applications of lactic acid is its usage in poly-lactic acid (PLA) production by lactic acid polymerization. Therefore, this research aims to explore lactic acid production from EFB with cellulolytic enzymes and Lactobacillus delbrueckii as lactic acid bacteria thru separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) methods. EFB treated with alkali explosion was used for this study. The hydrolysis process was conducted at pH 4.8, 50°C, and 150 rpm of agitation for 72 h with 30 FPU/g substrates of cellulolytic enzymes. Subsequently, hydrolyzate was fermented by Lactobacillus delbrueckii to produce lactic acid. Variation of pH (5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0) and temperatures (55 and 60°C) during fermentation were carried out in this study in order to optimize lactic acid production. The highest lactic acid concentration was produced at pH 5.5. The lactic acid production by Lactobacillus delbrueckii at 55 and 60°C reached 2.3 g/l and 0.9 g/l, respectively. This result indicated that lignocellulosic biomass could be used as non-food feedstock in lactic acid production.

Mucuna bracteata and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) forages are large amount of palm oil plantation wastes, but they have not optimally utilized yet. This study analyzed the compost from forage of M. bracteata combined with OPEFB. The study used a complete non factorial randomized design with different treatment composition of M. bracteata and OPEFB as compost material, that is: 100% OPEFB, 75% OPEFB + 25% M. bracteata, 50% OPEFB + 50% M.bracteata, 25% OPEFB + 75% M. bracteata, and 100% M. bracteata. The results showed the differences of M. bracteata and OPEFB as forage composition were significantly affected the content of N, K, and compost yield but did not significantly affect the content of P and C/N ratio of compost. The average of compost C-organic content is 35.97-39.14%, N is 2.3-4.42%, P is 0.53-0.64%, K is 3.75-6.59%, C/N ratio is 8.9-17.9, and compost yield is 56-69%. The greater the composition of M. bracteata, the higher the N content of the compost, but K content is lower and vice versa. If the composting was using OPEFB and M. bracteata as the materials, it is suggested to use a composition of 75% OPEFB and 25% M. bracteata.

The all-nanocellulose composite films were prepared using cellulose solvent system N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl). The process includes partial dissolution of oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in the N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solution followed by the regeneration process. The regeneration process also includes the removal of the N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride (DMAc/LiCl) solvent by using distilled water and drying of the films. The all-nanocellulose composite films with OPEFB contents in the range of 1–4 wt% were prepared and analyzed for their mechanical properties and crystallinity. The all-nanocellulose composite film with 1 wt% of OPEFB content showed the best tensile strength and modulus of elasticity with the value of 7.95 and 179.77 MPa, respectively. This could be due to a good dispersion of the cellulose particles in the films. However, the elongation at break for the composite film with 1 wt% of OPEFB content showed lower value than the ones contained higher percentage of OPEFB contents. As the content of OPEFB increases the tensile strength decreases especially at 4 wt% of OPEFB content of the composite film. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis suggests that the all-nanocellulose composite film with 1 wt% of OPEFB content has higher crystallinity compared to the all-nanocellulose composite film with 4 wt% of OPEFB content. This could explain why this particular all-nanocellulose-based composite system performed greater tensile strength and modulus at low OPEFB content (1 wt%).

Before planting, generally the seed is sowed in polybag that made of plastic (on organic). For excessive use of polybag it can damage the environmental. To prevent more severe environmental damage, it is necessary to find a safe way for the sustainability of environmental quality, that is by using organic materials. There are many organic materials can be used for seedling pots. Two of them are cassava stem waste and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFB). OPEFB can increase strength and stiffness of wall of the pots (organic seedling pots). To glue cassava stem waste and OPEFB then add enough adhesive material. This research was held in October to December 2019 at Laboratory of Power and Agricultural Machinery and Laboratory of Land and Water Resources Engineering, Department of Agriculture Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung. The method of this research is Completely Randomized Design, with composition of ingredients cassava stem and OPEFB that consist 6 levels; P1 is 70% cassava stem and 30% OPEFB, P2 is 60% cassava stem and 40% OPEFB, P3 is 50% cassava stem and 50% OPEFB, P4 is 40% cassava stem and 60% OPEFB, and P5 is 30% cassava stem and 70% OPEFB. The result of this research showed that characteristic of test about moisture, density, impact resistance index, and water absorption had significant on combination of mixed materials. For crops test with green lettuce, the result showed that height of crop, number of leaves, and root length were not significant on combination of mixed materials. The best result of organic seedling pots in this research is on treatments of P3; 50% cassava stem and 50% OPEFB, with moisture is 11,46%, density is 0,28 g/cm3, impact resistance index is 98,04%, and water absorption capacity is 128,2 %. Keywords: Cassava Stem Waste, Characteristic Test, Crops Test, OPEFB waste, and Organic Seedling Pots.