Oil Palm Fruit Bunches Research Articles

Evaluation of Nutrients Released from Phosphorus-Enriched Empty Oil Palm Fruit Bunches As Growing Media Using Setaria splendida

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.

THE EFFECTS OF OPFB SIZE ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF OIL PALM FRUIT BUNCH FIBRE FILLED POLYPROPYLENE–CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES

Oil palm fruit bunch (OPFB) fibre was used as filler in polypropylene–clay nanocomposite (PNC) to study its effect on the mechanical properties of OPFB filled PNC or hybrid polymer nanocomposite (HPNC). The OPFB size was varied at 250 μm, 180 μm, 125 μm and 100 μm. HPNC was prepared by compounding 20 wt.% of OPFB together with PNC. Tensile, flexural and impact test samples were injection moulded from the compounds according to ASTM standards. The experimental results showed that the increase of OPFB size in HPNC has increased the tensile and flexural moduli from 39% to 54% and 33% to 69%, respectively. Meanwhile, the tensile and flexural strengths increased as the OPFB size increases. The elongation at break and impact resistance were not affected by OPFB size. Scanning electron microscope result showed that the fracture surfaces of coarser OPFB filled polypropylene–clay nanocomposite has several mechanisms such as fibre pull-outs, fibre fracture and fibre delamination, whereas the PNC filled with finer OPFB exhibited ductile fracture.

Application of Taguchi Technique to Investigate the Effect of Process Parameters on Product Yield and Carbon Content in Empty Palm Oil Fruit Bunch Carbonization

Application of Taguchi Technique to Investigate the Effect of Process Parameters on Product Yield and Carbon Content in Empty Palm Oil Fruit Bunch Carbonization

Imaging technique for quantification of oil palm fruit ripeness and oil content

AbstractWe investigated a non‐destructive technique for measuring the colour of oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis) bunches at different stages of maturity and correlating the colour data with the oil content in the fruit bunch. A digital red, green and blue (RGB) camera was used to capture the image of palm fruits and hue histograms were then constructed from mathematically transformed RGB data. The dominant hue peaks were then correlated to the oil content of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs). The study showed that the results obtained were influenced by FFB that possessed different expressions of colour changes during the ripening process. The results obtained from colour image analyses were not satisfactory – the correlation between hue peak and FFB oil content was r = 0.7933. However, when FFB having the same ripening patterns were analysed, the correlation was very much improved with r = 0.9519. Thus, statistical evaluation showed that the digital imaging technique for determining FFB oil content can be successfully used on a homogeneous population of palms that display similar change of colour during the ripening process.Practical applications: The ability to correctly identify physiological maturity and harvest maturity of palm fruits by phenological characteristics will ensure timely harvest to avoid cutting of either under‐ and over‐ripe fruits. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board [MPOB] 1 has published an oil palm fruit grading manual outlining 16 classifications for grading FFB ripeness and quality. However, the FFB grading methods are still very subjective, i.e. depend on the judgement, experience and skill of a person. In addition, the methods do not provide quantitative information about the oil in the FFB. The method reported in this paper allows for rapid screening of FFB ripeness, and relate it to oil content in the FFB and accordingly the amount of oil that can be extracted from a consignment of FFB. Since it only takes a few seconds to capture signals, the system could be incorporated for on‐line monitoring of FFB ripeness and oil content thereof.

Comparison Study On Oil Palm Trunk And Oil Palm Fruit Bunch Fibre Reinforced Laterite Bricks

The main aim of this study was to compare the physical properties and mechanical properties of Oil Palm Trunk (OPT) fibre and Oil Palm Fruit Bunches (OPFB) fibre reinforced laterite bricks. For comparison purposes, the properties such as dimension, density, water absorption and the compressive strength of both types of bricks were determined. The effects of the incorporation of various amounts of fibres on the above properties were analysed. The tests were carried out according to BS 3921: 1985 for clay bricks.The samples were pressed at the factory Majpadu Bricks Sdn. Bhd., Malaysia and tested at the Material Testing Laboratory, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia.The findings of this research were, firstly, the dimension of bricks content with OPFB fibres were less accurate than bricks with OPT fibres. Secondly, the density of bricks with OPFB fibres was higher than the density of bricks with OPT fibres. Thirdly, in compressive strength of the bricks with OPFB fibres was higher than bricks with OPT fibres, with the maximum fibre content identified as 3 percent fibres. Finally, the water absorption of bricks with OPFB fibres was lower than the water absorption of bricks with OPT fibres. It can be concluded that the bricks with OPFB fibres had better physical and mechanical properties than bricks with OPT fibres. OPFB fibres is better for reinforcement in the laterite bricks and properties of the bricks with OPT Fibres were to be improved.

Physical and mechanical characterizations of oil palm fruit bunch fiber filled polypropylene composites

Pulverized oil palm fruit bunch (OPFB) fiber was used as filler in Polypropylene (PP). Pulverized OPFB was added at various sizes (250 μm, 180 μm, 125 μm, and 100 μm) to study its effect on the physical and mechanical properties of OPFB filled PP. OPFB powder was mixed with polypropylene at 20 wt% and maleic anhydride polypropylene (MAPP) was also added as coupling agent at 2 wt%. Water absorption behavior of composites followed the normal trend where the water uptake increases with the increasing of OPFB size due to its hydrophilic characteristic. The incorporation of OPFB also decreases the thermal stability of composites at initial stage. Tensile and flexural properties were enhanced with the addition of OPFB powder and further increased with the increase of OPFB size. Meanwhile elongation at break and impact strength were decreased with the increase of OPFB size. SEM observation on the fracture surface of tensile, flexural, and impact tested samples provide further understanding on the effect of OPFB as filler in the matrix.

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Oil palm cultivation is one of the Peruvian Amazon, which generates more interest among investors, which has allowed to install at least 70 thousand of ha. When Peru has entered oil palm seeds of high genetic value, resistance to disease, pests and high performance, but over time has experienced variability in different ecosystems of the country. This study aimed to computerized genetic selection for selection of elite plants of high performance fresh fruit bunches (FFB) of oil palm. For the computerized genetic analysis were available from SELEGEN Rml/Bloop software program that is designed for the analysis and selection. Benin and Ivory Coast are the ones with the best average, the minimum value is 22.1 kg/plant and the maximum value corresponds to 375.9 kg/plant. The 2301 hybrid has the best average performance, followed by the hybrid 2401, the maximum yield extreme values exceeding 340 kg/plant. The first year, the average yield was 46.62 kg/plant and for the third year of production, the average rose to 142.82 kg/pl. Individual performance repeatability for RFF kg/plant in both groups 2007 and 2008 was 0.10 and the repeatability of the average crop was 0.87 and 0.82 for groups 2007 and 2008, respectively. This led to a selective accuracy of 0.93 for 2007 and 0.90 for the group 2008.

Activity of Ligninolytic Enzymes during Growth and Fruiting Body Development of White Rot Fungi Omphalina sp. and Pleurotus ostreatus

The activity of ligninolytic enzymes of white rot fungi (WRF) Omphalina sp. and Pleurotus ostreatus was observed during somatic and fruiting body development in solid substrate fermentation using empty fruit bunches of oil palm (EFB). The enzyme activity was dominated by laccase both of Omphalina sp. and P. ostreatus. The laccase activity on somatic phase (mycelium growth) was higher compared to that of fruiting body formation phase. The laccase activity of Omphalina sp. was slightly higher compared to that of P. ostreatus. The peak activity of manganese peroxidase (MnP) for Omphalina sp. was observed two weeks after inoculation, while P. ostreatus had two peaks i.e. two and four weeks after inoculation period. The MnP activity of P. ostreatus was higher compared to that of Omphalina sp. Omphalina sp. growth in EFB did not secrete lignin peroxidase (LiP) in contrast to P. ostreatus. The peak of LiP activity of P. ostreatus was reached two and four weeks after inoculation. The MnP and LiP activities declined during the development of fruiting bodies while laccase increased both in Omphalina sp. and P. ostreatus. It seems that the activities of ligninolytic enzyme profile were regulated in line with developmental phase of growth both in Omphalina sp. and P. ostreatus. Key words: ligninolytic enzyme activity, Omphalina sp., Pleurotus ostreatus, empty fruit bunches of oil palm

Photocuring of Empty Fruit Bunches of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Fibers with Allyl Methacrylate (AMA): Effect of Additives on Mechanical and Degradable Properties

Empty fruit bunches of oil palm fibers can be used as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional reinforcing fibers, like glass, carbon, etc. In order to improve the interfacial properties, this fiber was subjected to grafting with bulk monomer allyl methacrylate (AMA) and cured under UV radiation. It was found that UV curing enhanced the physicomechanical properties to a large extent compared to the untreated virgin fiber. Among different AMA concentration, the fibers treated with 10% monomer showed the best mechanical properties after 15 passes of UV radiation. Different additives such as urea, acrylamide, and NVP were added with the 10% AMA solution, and the effect of additives was studied. It was found that fibers treated with 2% urea showed even better PL and tensile properties than those treated only with AMA. the treated and untreated fiber samples were also subjected to various weather conditions such as simulating weather, soil, and water aging to determine the degradable properties. It was observed that the minimum loss in each case was shown by the sample treated with the formulations that contain urea as additives with AMA and that fiber aged in soil showed higher loss of weight and tensile properties than that aged in water.

Bio-efficiency of compost extracts on the wet rot incidence, morphological and physiological growth of okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus [(L.) Moench

An experiment was carried out to investigate the efficacy of rice straw and empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm compost extracts either fortified or unfortified with Trichoderma harzianum on morpho-physiological growth and occurrence of Choanephora wet rot of okra. Treatments tested were water (control) (T1), rice straw (RST) compost extract (T2), Trichoderma-enriched RST compost extract (T3), empty fruit bunch of oil palm compost extract (T4), Trichoderma-enriched EFB compost extract (T5), aqueous suspension of Trichoderma (T6), and a fungicide Dithane M-45 ® (2 g l −1 of water) (T7). The experimental results revealed significant variations amongst the treatments in respect of morphological characters, e.g. shoot length, tap root length, number of leaves per plant, and leaf area. The shoot and tap root length, number of leaves per plant, leaf area were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) higher in Trichoderma-enriched RST compost extracts (T3) followed by Dithane M-45 ® (T7), Trichoderma-enriched EFB extracts (T5), RST (T2), EFB (T4) and aqueous suspension of T. harzianum (T6) in both Choanephora inoculated and uninoculated (control) plots. Similarly, net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content were higher in plants receiving Trichoderma-enriched RST compost extracts (T3) with 76.2% reduction in Choanephora wet rot incidence when compared with rest of the treatments. These experimental results revealed that morpho-physiological characters of okra could be modified by the application of Trichoderma-enriched compost extracts. This suggests that use of Trichoderma-enriched compost extracts would be more beneficial in environmentally friendly okra cultivation and may be used as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers/fungicides to enhance plant growth and reduce disease incidence subsequently, resulting in higher yield.

Oil Palm Fruit Bunch Grading System Using Red, Green and Blue Digital Number

This research deals with the ripeness grading of oil palm fruit bunches. The current practice in the oil palm mills is to grade the oil palm bunches manually using human graders. This method is subjective and subject to disputes. In this research, we developed an automated grading system for oil palm bunches using the RGB color model. This grading system was developed to distinguish between the three different categories of oil palm fruit bunches. The maturity or color ripening index was based on different color intensity. Our grading system employs a computer and camera to analyze and interpret images equivalent to the human eye and brain. The colors namely Red, Green and Blue (RGB) of the palm oil fruit bunch were investigated using this grading system. The computer program developed and used the mean color intensity to differentiate between the different color and ripeness of the fruits such as oil palm FFB. The program results showed that the ripeness of fruit bunch could be differentiated between different categories of fruit bunches based on RGB intensity.

Community structure and ecology of snakes in fields of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis) in the Niger Delta, southern Nigeria

Aspects of community structure and ecology of snakes were studied in the years 2004–2006 in fields of oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis) of three study areas in Southern Nigeria. A total of 284 individual snakes, belonging to twelve species of three families (seven Colubridae, four Elapidae, one Viperidae), were recorded, including both sighted and captured individuals (not including in this count the individuals that escaped before identification to species level could be made). All the study areas were nearly identical in terms of species composition. Most snakes (about 67%) were recorded during the dry season months, when the fruits of the oil palm ripe, thus attracting lots of organisms that are potential prey for snakes. The most important food items for oil palm snakes were Agama lizards, birds and rodents, but they also fed on skinks, geckos, fruit bats and tree frogs. Snakes were spotted climbing with peak frequencies occurring in the range of 16–18 m above the ground level. In general, oil palm trees within the range of 16–27 m high harboured higher number of snakes. Climbing snakes were nonrandomly positioned on the trees: the highest percentage of snakes (68%) was lodged between the leaf bases and oil palm fruit bunches. The general implications of the given data are discussed.

Trichoderma-fortified compost extracts for the control of choanephora wet rot in okra production

The potential of water extracts produced from rice straw (RST) and empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) composts fortified with Trichoderma harzianum for the control of Choanephora wet rot of okra caused by Choanephora cucurbitarum was studied under field conditions. Disease severity was lowest in plants treated with Trichoderma-fortified RST extracts (9.56%) with a disease index of 1, mancozeb (Dithane M-45 ® (2 g l −1 of water), Trichoderma-fortified EFB compost extracts, extracts of RST and EFB, and an aqueous suspension of T. harzianum recorded disease severity values of 10.25%, 19.38%, 37.56%, 53.71% and 56.36%, with a disease index of 1, 1, 2, 3 and 3, respectively. There was a reduction of 85.04% in Choanephora wet rot severity on okra treated with Trichoderma-fortified RST extracts during 12 weeks of assessment in the field, which was comparable to the conventional fungicide Dithane M-45 ®, suggesting that application of extracts produced from well-matured compost fortified with biocontrol agents could be an alternative control strategy.

アジア大での環境負荷軽減と石炭需給の安定化 水熱処理によるバイオマス・低品位炭混合燃料化での分解抽出挙動

A fundamental investigation on the extraction from biomass, low rank coal and their mixture during hydrothermal treatment was conducted by using a circulative equipment having a 10 cm3 cell. Beluga coal from Alaska, and Cryptomeria Japonica and empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) were used as material samples of low rank coal and biomass, respectively. Biomass started to be decomposed at a temperature lower than that of low rank coal, which suggests that amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose were hydrolyzed. Frans such as furfural and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (HMF) extracted from biomass were unstable as compared to phenol, and therefore decomposed and partially cyclized. It was considered that low rank coal adsorbed extracts from biomass due to the porous morphology. The possibility to predict the TOC from an on-line monitoring of the absorbance intensity in UV region during hydrothermal treatment was also shown.

325 PUBLICATION Prognostic relevance of HER2 expression and gene amplification in estrogen receptor-positive lymph-node negative breast cancer patients

In recent, production of bioethanol in Indonesia is produced primarily from sugarcane molasses and cassava as the 1st generation. But related with its development, it is quite hard to be a major feedstock in bioethanol conversion because there is conflict in using between consumption food and energy resources. Due to abundant lignocellulose biomass resources in Indonesia, such as empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm, sugarcane bagasse and other forrest residue, the research in the development of process for 2nd generation bioethanol production is being increase. This case can be a right solution to solve the problem because lignocellulose is unused material. Processing of lignocellulosic biomass into bioethanol consists of four major unit operations: pre-treatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and product separation/distillation. Although ethanol is the dominant alcohol produced in the fermentation of sugars process, there are some byproducts in bioethanol product, such as organic impurities, water and organic acid. Determination of the impurity is important to prove the quality of produced bioethanol. Some of the impurities is not allowed in the product, such as methanol and others organic, that should be limited to control the performance from bioethanol as substituted fuel. Organic impurities of the bioethanol product was analyzed by using GC-FID while the water content was analyzed by using Karl Fischer Coulometric Moisture Titrator. In this research, the lignocellulosic bioethanol analyzed for the moisture content and organic impurities was undenatured one. The water content of the bioethanol sample was analyzed in 7 replicates where the average was 0.1776%-w (% RSD 2.0460). There are eight compounds of organic impurities detected in GC-FID that are acetaldehyde (0.0217%-w), acetone (0.0102%-w), ethyl acetate (0.0368%-w), methanol (0.0224%-w), isopropyl alcohol (0.0035%-w), n-propyl alcohol (0.0188%-w), isobutanol (0.0437%-w) and isoamyl alcohol (0.0377%-w).

323 PUBLICATION Cyclin E is an important prognostic factor in Japanese breast cancers

In recent, production of bioethanol in Indonesia is produced primarily from sugarcane molasses and cassava as the 1st generation. But related with its development, it is quite hard to be a major feedstock in bioethanol conversion because there is conflict in using between consumption food and energy resources. Due to abundant lignocellulose biomass resources in Indonesia, such as empty fruit bunch (EFB) of oil palm, sugarcane bagasse and other forrest residue, the research in the development of process for 2nd generation bioethanol production is being increase. This case can be a right solution to solve the problem because lignocellulose is unused material. Processing of lignocellulosic biomass into bioethanol consists of four major unit operations: pre-treatment, hydrolysis, fermentation and product separation/distillation. Although ethanol is the dominant alcohol produced in the fermentation of sugars process, there are some byproducts in bioethanol product, such as organic impurities, water and organic acid. Determination of the impurity is important to prove the quality of produced bioethanol. Some of the impurities is not allowed in the product, such as methanol and others organic, that should be limited to control the performance from bioethanol as substituted fuel. Organic impurities of the bioethanol product was analyzed by using GC-FID while the water content was analyzed by using Karl Fischer Coulometric Moisture Titrator. In this research, the lignocellulosic bioethanol analyzed for the moisture content and organic impurities was undenatured one. The water content of the bioethanol sample was analyzed in 7 replicates where the average was 0.1776%-w (% RSD 2.0460). There are eight compounds of organic impurities detected in GC-FID that are acetaldehyde (0.0217%-w), acetone (0.0102%-w), ethyl acetate (0.0368%-w), methanol (0.0224%-w), isopropyl alcohol (0.0035%-w), n-propyl alcohol (0.0188%-w), isobutanol (0.0437%-w) and isoamyl alcohol (0.0377%-w).

Water recycling from palm oil mill effluent (POME) using membrane technology

Malaysia is the largest producer and exporter of palm oil. Palm oil processing is carried out in palm oil mills where oil is extracted from a palm oil fruit bunch. Large quantities of water are used during the extraction of crude palm oil from the fresh fruit bunch, and about 50% of the water results in palm oil mill effluent (POME). POME is a thick brownish liquid that contains high amounts of total solids (40,500 mg/L), oil and grease (4000 mg/L), COD (50,000 mg/L) and BOD (25,000 mg/L). The disposal of this highly polluting effluent is becoming a major problem if it is not being treated properly besides a stringent standard limit imposed by The Malaysian Department of Environment for effluent discharged. A POME treatment system based on membrane technology shows high potential for eliminating the environmental problem, and in addition, this alternative treatment system offers water recycling. The treated effluent has a high quality and crystal clear water that can be used as the boiler feed water or as the source of drinking water production. In our current research, a pilot plant was designed and constructed for POME treatment; two stages of treatment have been conducted whereby coagulation, sedimentation and adsorption play their roles at the first stage as a membrane pretreatment process, and ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis membranes are combined for the membrane separation treatment. Results from the total treatment system show a reduction in turbidity, COD and BOD up to 100%, 98.8% and 99.4%, respectively, with a final pH of 7. Thus, the results show that this treatment system has a high potential for producing boiler feed water that can be recycled back to the plant.

Utilization of ashes from oil-palm wastes as a cement replacement material

This study examines the engineering feasibility of utilizing the ashes derived from oil-palm fruit bunches, shell and fiber wastes as a cement replacement material. The experimental results indicate that blended cement containing ash derived from oil-palm wastes shows satisfactory setting times and soundness. Workability of concrete incorporating the ash is categorized as good, and no segregation was observed. The effects of ash addition on concrete density and water absorption are insignificant. Compressive strength of the concrete decreases with the ash content in the cement. At up to 10% by weight of shell-fiber ash addition, no adverse effect on strength was observed for the concrete cubes. The results suggest that the ash could possibly be blended in small amounts with ordinary Portland cement for concrete making.

Utilization of ashes from oil-palm wastes as a cement replacement material

This study examines the engineering feasibility of utilizing the ashes derived from oil-palm fruit bunches, shell and fiber wastes as a cement replacement material. The experimental results indicate that blended cement containing ash derived from oil-palm wastes shows satisfactory setting times and soundness. Workability of concrete incorporating the ash is categorized as good, and no segregation was observed. The effects of ash addition on concrete density and water absorption are insignificant. Compressive strength of the concrete decreases with the ash content in the cement. At up to 10% by weight of shell-fiber ash addition, no adverse effect on strength was observed for the concrete cubes. The results suggest that the ash could possibly be blended in small amounts with ordinary Portland cement for concrete making.

Utilization of agro-resources by radiation treatment -production of animal feed and mushroom from oil palm wastes

The production of animal feeds and mushrooms from oil palm cellulosic wasres by radiation and fermentation has been investigated in order to utilize the agro-resources and to reduce the smoke pollution. The process is as follows: decontamination of microorganisms in fermentation media of empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) by irradiation, inoculation of useful fungi, and subsequently production of proteins and edible mushrooms. The dose of 25 kGy was required for the sterilization of contaminating bacteria whereas the dose of 10 kGy was enough to eliminate the fungi. Among many kinds of fungi tested, C. cinereus and P. sajor-caju were selected as the most suitable microorganism for the fermentation of EFB. The protein content of the product increased to 13 % and the crude fiber content decreased to 20% after 30 days of incubation with C. cinereus at 30°C in solid state fermentation. P. sajor-caju was suitable for the mushroom production on EFB with rice bran.