Coconut Research Articles

Performance of A Triboelectric Nanogenerator Utilising Coconut Husk Layer

Triboelectric nanogenerators, known as TENGs, offer great potential as versatile energy harvesting devices. In recent years, there has been a rise in TENG designs that prioritize compatibility with sustainable biomaterials, leading to new possibilities in green technology. The novelty of this work lies in its pioneering exploration of utilizing sustainable biomaterials, particularly coconut husk, within the field of Tribo-electric nanogenerators (TENGs). This study focuses on evaluating and characterizing coconut husk as TENG material considering factors such as rotational speed, vane count, and coarseness, all of which influence the output potential of the B-TENG. The B-TENG model employed in this research operates on a rotational sliding mode, featuring a biobased material layer of coconut husk, a layer of PTFE, and copper as electrodes. The B-TENG has a diameter of 100 mm with varying vane configurations (3-vane, 4-vane, and 5-vane). The sliding mode demonstrated impressive versatility, yielding output voltages spanning from 0.73 V to 4.0 V across rotational speeds of 200 RPM to 1400 RPM. Remarkably, the 5-vane fine-grained coconut husks achieved a maximum power of 121.10 mW at 10 Ohm and a power density of 3.84 mW/cm2. This research carries global significance, contributing to the advancement ofenergy harvesting technology. Its applications range from harnessing the motion of human bodies to rotating machineries in any industry.

Production technique of Encarsia guadeloupae for the management of Rugose Spiralling Whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) on coconut

In the years 2020-23, a field experiment on Encarsia production technique for managing Rugose Spiraling Whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin) in coconut palms was conducted at the AICRP (Palms), RCRS, Bhatye, Dist. Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, to evaluate the efficacy of Encarsia parasitoids in controlling the rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW) on coconut palms. The study employed a completely randomized block design with five treatments and four replications. Single palms of susceptible coconut varieties were selected for each treatment. Empty plastic bottles (1-liter capacity) were collected and modified by creating three holes (5x5 cm) in the middle region. These holes were covered with muslin cloth (30x20 cm) secured by rubber bands. The modified bottles were then hung on coconut fronds. Twenty healthy RSW nymphs were identified and placed in each designed plastic bottle cage. Field-collected Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW were released into the cages, and the bottle mouths were plugged with cotton. The number of healthy and parasitized RSW nymphs on leaflets was recorded at 7, 10, and 15 days after treatment application. Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at a rate of 10 per palm resulted in the highest parasitism (62.08%). This treatment significantly outperformed T2 (Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at 5 per palm, 45.69%), T1 (Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at 3 per palm, 40.13%), and the control (T5, 7.36%). Encarsia parasitized pupae of RSW at 8 per palm achieved a parasitism rate of 54.86%, comparable to T4. The mass production technique of Encarsia guadeloupae under field conditions appears safe, eco-friendly, and effective for managing rugose spiralling whitefly in coconut palms. Key words: Coconut, Encarsia, Mass production, Rugose spiralling whitefly

First report of invasive nesting whitefly Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): Impact on coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) in Jaffna, Sri Lanka

An invasive whitefly species Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi was recorded during January 2024, for the first time in Sri Lanka. Its occurrence was observed in association with Aleurodicus. dispersus and Aleurodicus rugioperculatus and Pseudococcus sp. on the underside of the coconut palm leaves (Cocos nucifera L.) from home gardens in Jaffna district. This species is commonly known as Bondar’s nesting whitefly, and is added as a new member for the coconut whitefly complex in Northern Province in Sri Lanka. Key words: Bondar’s nesting whitefly, Coconut Jaffna, Paraleyrodes bondari, Sri Lanka.

Biodegradation of Spent Automobile Engine Oil in Soil Microcosms Amended with Coconut Shell

Food insecurity and low yield have resulted from the detrimental effects of petroleum hydrocarbon pollution on agricultural soils over time. This study was carried out to determine the bioremediation efficacy of coconut shell on microbiological composition and total petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in spent engine oil polluted soil. Top soil (0-15 cm depth) samples were randomly collected from areas with history of spent engine oil pollution within Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. One kilogram of the polluted-soil was measured into each of nine plastic containers. Coconut shell collected from the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, was standardly prepared and mixed with the soil at the rate of 0, 50 and 100 g kg-1 soil in triplicate. The experiment used a completely randomized design. Soil samples were taken from each container at 0 and 28 days for hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and total petroleum hydrocarbon determination using standard methods. Data obtained from the experiment were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The species identified were Enterobacter sp and Escherichia coli, with Enterobacter sp being the most predominant isolate. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (mgkg-1) of the soil on day 0 was 59.78 ± 1.85. After the amendments (at control, 50 and 100 g kg-1), the total petroleum hydrocarbon (mgkg-1) values were 44.92 ±2.26, 34.82 ± 1.78 and 31.49 ± 0.87 at 28 days respectively. Coconut shell and the high level carbon utilizing bacteria, Enterobacter sp, significantly enhanced the biodegradation process as an impressive 47.32% remediation efficiency was achieved 28 days after amendment in soil treated with 100g of coconut shell. It is recommended that a biostimulation strategy that uses coconut shell and Enterobacter sp be employed in the remediation of spent engine oil and petroleum hydrocarbon polluted soils.

Techno-Economic Feasibility Study of Tractor Pto Operated Shredder Cum Pulverizer

India's agricultural sector faces a challenge of widespread crop residue burning. An estimated 90-140 million tonnes of crop residues are burned annually by farmers across the country. The shredder cum pulverizer focuses on the shredding and pulverizing of coconut husks and fronds (Cocos nucifera), corn stalks (Zea mays L.) and subabul branches (Leucaena leucocephala). This shredded and pulverized crop residue is used to prepare the vermin compost, biomass production and various other purposes. The experiment was conducted at the IGKV, Raipur (C.G.). The detailed specifications parameters were optimized for each unit of the shredder cum pulverier. This study was conducted with four levels of feed rate varies with four levels of different speeds of operation at four moisture content) as the independent parameters. Their effects were studied on dependent parameters. The detailed data were analyzed statistically by SPD (Split Plot Design) with the three replications. The various performance parameters were also calculated. The result of the experiments showed that the shredding capacity and size of reduction of the shredder cum pulverizer with different feed rates of crop residues of coconut husks, coconut fronds, corn stalks, and subabul branches at different feed rates are 79.65 kg/h, 86.98 kg/h, 82.65 kg/h, and 94.64 kg/h, respectively, and the resultant size reductions of crop residues are 1.26mm, 2.66mm, 1.73mm, and 2.57mm, respectively. The result showed that the maximum shredding capacity 94.64kg/h was found on subabul branches were observed at 400kg/h feed rate, 40m/s speed of operation and 24% moisture content and the maximum size of reduction 1.26mm was found on coconut husks were observed at 600kg/h feed rate, 70m/s speed of operation and 24% moisture content. The cost of operation of shredder cum pulverizer was observed to be 983.25 Rs/h.

Energy-efficient removal of trace VOCs from humid air using metal-organic gel derived porous carbon

The development of granular adsorbents for the efficient capture of low-concentration volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from humid air are highly desirable. Herein, we report the synthesis of granular ZIF-8 monolith (monoZIF-8) featuring high surface area (2312 m2/g) and mesoporous structure by shortening the synthesis time and optimizing the reactant concentrations, which was further carbonized at 1000 °C to obtain porous granular carbon. As-prepared ZIF-8-C1000 exhibited high surface area (1623 m2/g), hierarchical porous structure (0.5–10 nm) and hydrophobicity (water contact angle 145.8°), thus it showed very high adsorption performance for trace VOCs like toluene and hexanal under both dry and humid conditions (relative humidity 30 %-80 %) at 25 °C, much higher than commercial activated carbon (AC) such as BPL-AC, coconut shell AC, and representative MOFs including HKUST-1, monoHKUST-1, monoMIL-100(Fe), MIL-101(Cr) and MOF-235. Additionally, ZIF-8-C1000 could be rapidly regenerated under mild temperatures (60 °C to 80 °C), while BPL-AC requires a higher desorption temperature and more time due to disordered porosity. The exceptional adsorption and desorption performance of granular ZIF-8-C1000 over BPL-AC can be attributed to its interconnected micropores and mesopores.

Skin Prick Tests and Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays among Allergic Patients Using Allergenic Local Pollen Extracts.

Allergic respiratory diseases are prevalent in the Philippines, with allergic rhinitis and asthma occurring at 20% and 8.7% of the population, respectively. The diagnosis of respiratory allergies is achieved by a combination of patient history and different screening tools, especially for the identification of the allergic triggers such as allergy skin prick test (SPT) and serum-specific IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (sIgE ELISA). The Philippines, being a tropical country, have a wide variety of plant species with potential to produce allergenic pollen grains. Knowledge of the sensitization profiles of Filipino allergic patients to our local pollen allergens is currently limited. The aim of this study is to determine the sensitization profile of patients with respiratory allergies (allergic rhinitis and/or asthma) through the allergy skin prick test (SPT) using allergenic local pollen extracts. It also aimed to determine if there is a positive agreement between the SPT and sIgE ELISA positivity rate and whether the results have relationship with the pollen purity and the protein content of the extracts. Pollen allergens were extracted from Amaranthus spinosus (pigweed), Mimosa pudica (makahiya), Tridax procumbens (wild daisy), Imperata cylindrica (cogon), Oryza sativa (rice), Pennisetum polystachion (foxtail grass), Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass), Albizia saman (acacia), Cocos nucifera (coconut), Leucaena leucocephala (ipil-ipil), and Mangifera indica (mango). SPT was performed at the Allergy Clinic of the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital on patients with allergic rhinitis and/or bronchial asthma. Blood samples were collected from patients who developed wheal diameters of 3 mm or more than the negative control. Sera were tested against the same pollen extracts using ELISA. Of the one hundred sixty-five (165) patients who submitted for skin prick test, 129 showed positive SPT results to the pollen extracts. Weeds were the most sensitizing (51.9%-58.1%). Blood samples were collected from these patients and tested for sIgE ELISA and among them, 71 were positive in the sIgE ELISA. Highest sensitization rates in sIgE ELISA were found in coconut, pigweed, Johnson grass, and rice. The highest positive agreements or the proportion of patients with positive sIgE ELISA among those with positive SPT were in coconut, followed by Johnson grass, pigweed, and rice. Most of the pollen sensitized patients on SPT are polysensitized. SPT is a safe, simple, and rapid method for the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy. The lower number of positive patients in sIgE ELISA may be attributed to the low serum IgE levels and low quantities of effectual allergen components in extracts. Results of both SPT and ELISA must be correlated with a patient's clinical history, particularly the patient's exposures, and physical examination.

Исследование характера изменения твердости композиционных материалов с алюминиевой матрицей, упрочненной золой кокосовой скорлупы и красным шламом, с использованием анализа Тагучи

Introduction: in present scenario, light and high strength aluminium metal matrix composite are extensively used due to its high mechanical and tribological properties. Aluminium metal matrix composite reinforced with ceramic and industrial waste can customize its mechanical-chemical behavior. The purpose of the work: to create an aluminum matrix composite material using ceramic (primary) and industrial (secondary) waste represented by red mud and coconut shell ash, respectively. The mass fraction of the strengthening phase varied from 5 to 12.5 wt. % respectively with the residual mass percentage of the aluminum alloy. Method of investigation: nine specimens of composite materials were prepared by stir casting. Stirring was carried out at a speed of 50 to 100 rpm for 20 minutes at a temperature of 800 °C. Result and Discussion: the hardness behavior of the aluminum metal matrix composite was studied at an indentation load of 10, 15 and 20 kN. Taguchi method with L27 orthogonal array was selected to conduct analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis by selecting the mass percentage of red mud and mass percentage of coconut shell ash. The indentation load was used as an input parameter, and the hardness behavior was taken as an output parameter. The signal-to-noise ratio, response rank table, contour plot, and normal probability plot are investigated and it is found that hardness values improve with the addition of both reinforcing components and indenter load. The results show that the hardness value varies from 33.34 HB to 53.44 HB, and the effect of red mud mass percentage is more significant than the indenter load and coconut shell ash mass percentage.

Whole-Genome Resequencing Identifies SNPs in Sucrose Synthase and Sugar Transporter Genes Associated with Sweetness in Coconut.

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an important agricultural commodity with substantial economic and nutritional value, widely used for various products, including coconut water. The sweetness is an important quality trait of coconut water, which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. In this study, we utilized next-generation sequencing to identify genetic variations in the coconut genome associated with the sweetness of coconut water. Whole-genome resequencing of 49 coconut accessions, including diverse germplasm and an F2 population of 81 individuals, revealed ~27 M SNPs and ~1.5 M InDels. Sugar content measured by °Bx was highly variable across all accessions tested, with dwarf varieties generally sweeter. A comprehensive analysis of the sugar profiles revealed that sucrose was the major sugar contributing to sweetness. Allele mining of the 148 genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport and genotype-phenotype association tests revealed two significant SNPs in the hexose carrier protein (Cnu01G018720) and sucrose synthase (Cnu09G011120) genes associated with the higher sugar content in both the germplasm and F2 populations. This research provides valuable insights into the genetic basis of coconut sweetness and offers molecular markers for breeding programs aimed at improving coconut water quality. The identified variants can improve the selection process in breeding high-quality sweet coconut varieties and thus support the economic sustainability of coconut cultivation.

Ru-doped Mo2C grown on coconut shell derived 3D hierarchical carbon as robust electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction

Biomass, as a low-cost, environmental friendly and renewable carbon source with natural porous structure can be used as carriers. Molybdenum carbide (Mo2C), possessing metallic characteristics and a platinum-like d-band electronic structure, has recently emerged as promising candidate for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, we fabricate a new electrocatalyst by embedding ruthenium (Ru) into Mo2C on carbonized coconut shell (Ru-Mo2C@CSC). Doping of Ru into Mo2C significantly activates the inherent HER activity by altering the surface state, which enhances electron accumulation and transfer between the intermediate and electrocatalyst surface. The obtained Ru-Mo2C@CSC exhibit a remarkably low overpotential of 40 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH, matching the benchmark Pt/C. Both experimental and density functional theory (DFT) reveal that this outstanding electrocatalytic activity stems from its unique three-dimensional (3D) architecture and the altered electronic structure by Ru-doping. The distinct 3D hierarchical porous structure aids electrolyte penetration, increases exposure of active sites, and facilitates the release of gas products. Substituting Ru atoms notably diminish the proton adsorption strength at the Mo and C atom coordination sites and electronic modification of Mo by charge transfer from Ru to Mo which was observed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A synergetic interaction at the Ru-Mo interface is generated to optimize the adsorption–desorption energetics toward H intermediate and accelerate water dissociation.

Socio-Demographic Profile, Farming Challenges and Local Government Unit (LGU) Support to Rubber Farmers in Tampilisan, Zamboanga Del Norte: A Pre and Actual Pandemic Analysis

This study investigates the socio-demographic profile, farming challenges, and the Local Government Unit (LGU) support to rubber farmers in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines. The research employed a pre and actual-pandemic analysis to assess the effectiveness of LGU extension services in empowering rubber farmers. Data from 50 rubber farmers across 15 barangays were analyzed using a descriptive-correlation method. Findings reveal that rubber farmers in Tampilisan are predominantly middle-aged, have a high school education level, and have low monthly incomes. Farmers engage in diverse farming practices, including intercropping and integrated farming systems, demonstrating adaptive strategies for income diversification. While participation in LGU extension services was high before the pandemic, it significantly declined during the pandemic due to restrictions and limitations. Farmers identified several key challenges, including low rubber prices, capital constraints, and lack of skilled labor, which persisted before and during the pandemic. Despite these challenges, farmers reported moderate agreement on the benefits derived from LGU extension services, particularly regarding education for their children and food security for their families. Findings also suggest that farmers' income correlates with the types of crops planted, indicating that diversifying crops like coconut, banana, and fruit trees can lead to increased income. More so, the correlation between farmer participation and the acquisition of farming tools and planting materials underscores the positive impact of active engagement on resource access. Analyzing the above results, the study revealed the importance of sustained farmer engagement in extension services for enhancing agricultural resilience and livelihood sustainability. The insights elicited from this study include strengthening technical training and infrastructure, promoting farmer group participation, and fostering collaboration between the Local Government Unit (LGU), educational institutions, and government agencies to ensure the effectiveness of extension programs and support sustainable rubber farming practices in Tampilisan.

Synthesis and Characterization of Coconut-Derived Graphene Nano Sheet (GNS) and Its Properties in Nickel/GNS and Zinc/GNS Hybrid Electrodes

This study introduces a sustainable method of producing a graphene nano sheet (GNS) from coconut shells and investigates its application in GNS, Ni/GNS, and Zn/GNS electrodes for advanced energy storage devices. The GNS was synthesized in a scalable manner using a pyrolysis and impregnation technique, with its successful synthesis verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Raman spectroscopy, and electrical conductivity measurement characterizations. The study highlights the enhanced performance of Zn/GNS electrodes, which outperform both pure GNS and Ni/GNS variants. This superior performance is attributed to the smaller particle size of Zn (mean = 2.356 µm) compared to Ni (mean = 3.09 µm) and Zn’s more favourable electron configuration for electron transfer. These findings demonstrate the potential of bio-derived GNS composites as efficient, high-performance electrodes, paving the way for more sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions.

Analysing the thermal and electrical properties of Cocos nucifera shell-based nanofluids as coolant feasibility proton exchange membrane fuel cell

For an enhancement of the thermal and electrical conductivity of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), extensive research is actively conducted on various waste bio sources. PEMFC offers the cleanest form of energy, an electrochemical energy conversion device that possesses zero emissions with by-products such as heat and water. In PEMFC, conventional coolants such as water and water:ethylene glycol mixture does not attain the substantial results in terms of heat dissipation, which impacts performance gradually reduces the operating life of the cell. Usually, bio-sources are environmentally friendly and have merits over chemically prepared methods. Bio-based nanofluids have remarkable performance in terms of heat transfer, lower electrical conductivity, and low corrosiveness in the system compared to other metal-based fluids and base fluids, which have also gained a great deal of scrutiny over the past few decades. In this research, bio-sourced Cocos nucifera shell (CNS) is utilised at various concentrations, such as 0.1 vol.-%, 0.3 vol.-% and 0.5 vol.-%, dispersed with a base fluid such as water (W), and ethylene glycol (EG) (80:20) is analysed prior to actual full stack PEMFC. Consequently, heat transfer has been improved by 13% for CNS in 80:20 (W:EG) at 0.5% volume concentration compared with W:EG (80:20). On the basis of findings on thermal, hydraulic and electrical conductivity, various properties have also been determined. Despite the drawbacks of the experimental design, it was concluded that up to 0.5 vol.-% CNS in an 80:20 (W:EG) nanofluid could be used as a cooling medium for PEMFCs with no adverse effects on the electrical performance. It was also observed that the nanofluid improved the efficiency of the fuel cells by reducing the ohmic losses.

The Rhino Shield for The Coconut Palm: An Automated Protection System for Coconut Tree

This paper will provide the concept and installation of the automated Rhino Beetle Sheild system, which defends coconut plants against attacks by rhinoceros beetles, are presented in this work. The system makes use of chemical sprayers that are managed by an Arduino board, poles, pumps and electrical valves. It is talked about how well the technique works to keep the coconut trees healthy and prevents beetle infestations. The Rhino Beetle Sheilds potential for use in agriculture is demonstrated by experimental results.

Oil-in-water microemulsion of Arthrospira platensis carotenoid as antiphotooxidation in vitamin C beverages

Arthrospira platensis is a blue-green microalgae that has carotenoid as the main pigments, with the largest content being beta-carotene. Carotenoids are a type of pigment that is water insoluble, unstable, and has a limited bioavailability. One of the efforts to improve its solubility and stability, especially with regard to its anti-photooxidation capabilities, is to make it into a microemulsion. This study aimed to develop the most stable oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion containing carotenoids from A. platensis for use as an antiphotooxidation agent in vitamin C beverages. Microemulsions consist of three distinct phases: oil, water and surfactant. The oil phase consisted of virgin coconut oil (VCO) or palm oil, with 7.5% and 15% and the aqueous phase was distilled water at a concentration of 65% or 80%. The surfactant used a combination of Tween 80, Tween 20, and Span 80 with a final hydrophilic-lipophilic balance or HLB value of 14.5. All microemulsion formulations were incubated for 24 hrs before being tested for stability by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 30 mins, heating at 105oC for 5 hrs, and storage for 2 and 4 weeks. The resulting turbidity index was used to test the microemulsion's stability. The most stable microemulsion was chosen as a delivery system for carotenoid compounds. The carotenoid microemulsion was also tested by centrifugation, heating, and stability at different pH (6.5 and 4.2) and in varied ratios (1:1, 1:9 and 1:99). The results revealed that the concentration of oil and water phases in the microemulsion formulation influenced the microemulsion's stability. The best formulation obtained was a microemulsion with 7.5% of virgin coconut oil, 80% of water concentration, and surfactant with a ratio of 92:5.5:2.5 (Tween 80: Span 80:Tween 20). The most stable carotenoid microemulsion was a microemulsion with 100 ppm of carotenoid added. The carotenoid microemulsion was able to inhibit photooxidation at 4000 lux for 4 hrs. The vitamin C beverage model added with 6 ppm carotenoid microemulsion was able to inhibit photooxidation compared to the control and 12 ppm, for up to 6 hrs and there was a significant decrease in vitamin C and antioxidants after 24 hrs of photooxidation. A. platensis carotenoid microemulsion with a concentration of 6 ppm could inhibit photooxidation on vitamin C beverages for up to 6 hrs.

An Analysis Of Energy And Nutrient Content In High Energy Natural Isotonic Drink (Isopower)

Isotonic drink is the carbonated or non-carbonated drink product used to subtitute the fluid lost in the body. Lack of fluid in the body can cause muscle fatigue until causing the performance decrease in athlete. Isotonic drink can accelerate the return of body fluid compared to water. The purpose of this research was to analyze the content of energy, sodium, potassium, and Vitamin C in isotonic drink with raw material coconut water, pure coconut oil, bee bread, palm vinegar, and honey as high energy natural istotonic drink. The research design used was descriptive observation based laboratory test. The data analysis employed SPSS 22 programs namely by carrying out descriptive test until obtained the average for each isotonic namely 247,491 kkla, sodium 77,085 mg.kg, potassium 1000,785 mg/kg and Vitamin C 2,112 mg. This research concluded that the energy drink content has fulfilled the quality specification of isotonic drink, while the sodium and potassium level do not fulfill the quality specification of isotonic drink yet. Likewise with the Vitamin C content which also does not fulfill the Referrence of Nutrition Label namely 10%.

Coconut Shell Carbon Preparation for Rhodamine B Adsorption and Mechanism Study.

Phosphoric acid is used as a chemical activator to prepare coconut shell carbon (PCSC), and for investigating rhodamine B (RhB) adsorption performance. The optimal conditions for the preparation of PCSC (calcined temperature, phosphoric acid concentration), and the influence of adsorption conditions (concentration, pH, etc.) on RhB and the recovery performance of optimal carbon are investigated. Experimental results show that when the amount of PCSC (600 °C, 2 h) is 0.2 g, the initial RhB concentration is 10 mg/L, pH = 6, and the adsorption time is 30 min, it can have 95.84% RhB adsorption efficiency. Liquid ultraviolet spectroscopy also supports this adsorption performance. Characterization data showed that hydroxyl and ester groups, aromatic structures, and PO43- existed on the surface of PCSC, and the amount decreased with increasing calcined temperature. PCSC has a BET (N2) surface area of 408.59 m2/g and has a micropore distribution, EDS-detected P content is 3.91%. SEM showed that the PCSC formed micropores which could better adsorb RhB. The kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of the adsorption of RhB by PCSC showed that the adsorption process was in accord with quasi-secondary kinetic equations and ΔGθ was between -1.65 and -18.75 kJ/mol. The adsorption was a physical adsorption and a spontaneous endothermic reaction, and the obtained PCSC sorption isotherms were classified as Langmuir-type. The RhB adsorption mechanism on PCSC includes pore diffusion, hydrogen bonding, and π-π conjugation. The PCSC prepared by H3PO4 modification has superior adsorption and recycling performance for RhB, providing a reference for the preparation of other biomass carbon materials for the treatment of dye wastewater.

Analisis Profitabilitas Pelaku Usaha Gula Semut di Desa Serayu Larangan

Research objectives a) Identify the internal and external factors of ant sugar business actors in Serayu Larangan Village, Mrebet District, b) Find out the level of production, production costs, profits and profitability of ant sugar business actors in Serayu Larangan Village, Mrebet District. The research method used was a survey with location determination carried out purposively in Serayu Larangan Village, Mrebet District with a total of 3,831 productive coconut trees managed by 169 craftsmen with an average production reaching 115,050 kg. The sample was determined purposively as many as 20 ant sugar business actors who were considered to represent those who had been working in this profession for more than 3 years and also as their main livelihood. The type of data collected is primary and secondary data through interview, observation and documentation techniques. Qualitative and quantitative data processing techniques. Profitability is the ratio between profit/profit from sales of ant sugar. The results of the research show the identification of internal and external factors in the ant sugar business, including availability of land, availability of raw materials, skills of the perpetrator, availability of labor in the family and sources of capital, market demand, prices of ant sugar products tend to be high, technological developments, and the presence of competitors. from outside villages, and collaboration with outside. Ant sugar business actors in Serayu Larangan Village, Mrebet District have an average total cost structure of IDR 94,952.37,- with an average of IDR 159,732.50,-. The gain or profit was IDR 64,780.13, - with a profitability value of the ant sugar business actor of 68.22%, meaning that every time IDR 1.00 of production input is used, it will produce a profit of IDR 68.22.

Legal Aspects of Import Management of Palm Fiber and Coconut Fiber by an importing company in Indonesia

This study intends to find out on how the mechanism in importing commodity such as coconut fiber and palm fiber. This is expected to provide an overview to readers, especially importers, not to mention the company that being the object of the authors research is the first company that imported this kind of commodity. This research was compiled and carried out with qualitative research methods. The data is collected through copies of documents, open information and information obtained from interviews, obrservation and notes that have been provided. The result of this study illustrate that the Perusahaan Pengimpor of the commodity that discussed must go through various procedures ranging from obtaining import permits, obligations in customs aspects, managing plant & quarantine permits, to tax obligations arising from importation activities carried out.

Cocos nucifera and glycerine afterwork moisturizers for secondary prevention of hand dermatitis among fabric worker: a randomized, double-blind, cross over trial

The use of skin barrier-enhancing topical medication is a favorable approach for the treatment of occupational hand dermatitis (OHD). Cocos nucifera or coconut oil is one of the best sources of lipid enriched with laurate acid, and glycerin is a well-known humectant that improves skin hydration. This study is aimed is to evaluate the effectiveness of C. nucifera and glycerin for secondary prevention of OHD among batik (Indonesian traditional fabric) workers. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial, the effect of glycerine–C. nucifera cream versus glycerin-only was considered with multiple afterwork applications of moisturizer over a 2-week period on batik workers with OHD. Assessment of trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), skin capacitance, and a clinical assessment using the Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) were carried out at day 0 and 14. The results show thirty-two batik dyeing and/or rinsing workers were enrolled in the study with mild to moderate OHD. Clinical improvement was demonstrated by 20% decrease in HECSI and TEWL, and 20% increase in skin capacitance. Both moisturizers were equally effective for the secondary prevention of OHD. As a conclusion, glycerine–C. nucifera and glycerin-only cream are equally effective for secondary prevention for OHD among batik worker to reduce the prevalence of hand dermatitis.