Oil Palm Kernels Research Articles

RANCANG BANGUN ALAT PEMILAH PADA BIJI BUAH KELAPA SAWIT BERDASARKAN WARNA DAN BERAT

In the palm oil industry, processing oil palm kernels in the field to improve the quality of palm oil produced is an important activity. Palm kernel harvesting occurs when the oil content is highest and the free fatty acid content is lowest. To maximize the harvest, it is necessary to develop a Sorting Equipment Design on Palm Oil Seeds based on color and weight carried out in Penajam Paser Utara. The purpose of this tool is to detect the maturity level of oil palm kernels with the TCS3200 Sensor, as well as reading the weight of oil palm seeds with the Loadcell Sensor. The main components in making this tool include TCS3200 Sensor and Loadcell Sensor, with other supporting components namely Conveyor, Infrared (IR) Sensor, DC Motor, Servo Motor, and LCD.The results of the IR sensor test had an average error of 0.05 in distance readings, the Loadcell test had an average error of 1.08 in weight readings and the TCS 3200 Sensor had no error in determining the maturity category in oil palm fruit seeds.

Activating oil palm germination and improved survival of seedlings using a rotating magnetic field

Effects of magneto priming on stimulation of seed germination is widely known. The field which generates magnetized water used for priming can be static magnetic or electromagnetic fields. In this work, we present effect of magneto-priming generated by a rotating magnetic field to improve oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) germination of oil palm kernels. We developed a rotisserie-type magnetic field apparatus (MFA) to stimulate oil palm seed germination. The roller (rotisserie) device ensures an even dosage to an applied magnetic field. Only a 4 h’ dosage was required to stimulate germination. The magnetic treatment group started to germinate at 15 days. There was 50% germination after 22 ± 1 d with a maximum germination rate of about 6% d−1 and 100% germination after 37 d. The linearly determined maximum germination rate is about 4.93 ± 0.34% d−1, whereas the logistic model gives a higher estimate of 6.46 ± 0.04% d−1. The MFA rotisserie device is a significant improvement in rate of germination and overall germination percentage as well as growth of young seedlings of oil palm.

Decision Support System for Selection of Quality Palm Seeds with the Analytical Hierarchy Process Method

At PT. Gersindo, which is located in West Pasaman Regency, is a factory company that processes palm fruit into semi-finished oil or often called CPO (Crude Palm Oil). The main part that is managed in oil palm is the fruit, the fruit of the oil palm produces crude oil. PT. Gersindo is currently still using the manual method in determining the quality of the oil palm kernels, so that problems arise in the selection of the oil palm kernels at PT. Gersindo. At the factory PT. Gersindo in selecting quality palm kernels can be solved by developing an application in a decision support system. A decision support system is a system that is able to solve problems efficiently and effectively, which aims to help make decisions by choosing various alternative decisions. One technique that can be applied in developing a decision support system is to use the AHP ( Analytical Hierarchy Process ) method. The AHP method is a method in a decision support system for solving a very complex and unstructured problem into several component parts in a hierarchical arrangement by giving subjective values. The essence of the AHP method is to determine the weight value for each criterion. The results of this study can be determined Consistency Ratio (CR) is 0.0705 . And CR is less than 0.1 , then the matrix is declared consistent, so it is very effective and efficient in making decisions on selecting quality palm kernels.

The Effect of Difference Soaking Duration and GA3 Concentration on Germination of oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq)

One of the main oil palm seed dormancy factors is the shell thickness. This could influence the germination homogeneity and required more time for oil palm seeds to germinate evenly. There will be such alternatives to improve oil palm seed germination as shell-less oil palm seeds or kernels which were soaked at different duration time and GA3 concentration. The objectives of this research was to evaluate germination rate of kernels under different soaking time and GA3 concentration. This study was conducted on Laboratory Plants Seed and Breeding, College of Agriculture, University of Lampung from June 2019 to September 2019. Treatment was arranged by factorial (6x3) in a randomized completely block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The first factors were the six different concentrations of GA3 hormones as 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm. The second factors were the three different soaking duration as 3, 7, and 10 days. The variables observed were the percentage of germination, the maximum growth potential, early time of germination, germination rate, dormancy intensity, radicle and plumule lengths. The data were analyzed by analysis of variance and then different mean values of treatments were analyzed by 5% of LSD using the SAS software application (version 9.4). The results showed that the concentration of 200 ppm GA3 resulting in low dormancy intensity (12.22%), increasing potency maximum growth (87.78%), and kernels germination rate (8.44%/etmal) compared with a concentration of 0 ppm GA3. Soaking duration of GA3 10 days resulted in low dormancy intensity (17.22%), the percentage of germination increased (23.33%), the maximum growth potential increased (78.89%), the kernel germination rate (8.94%/etmal), radicle length (2.00cm), plumule length (1.92cm), and early time of germination (4.61days) compared to the length of soaking duration of 3 days.

PENERAPAN METODE RELIABILITY CENTERED MAINTENANCE ( RCM ) PADA MESIN CAKE BREAKER CONVEYOR DI PABRIK KELAPA SAWIT ( PKS )

Oil palm plantations and their processing units are expected to grow rapidly, advances in science and technology are very fast along with sophisticated equipment created to simplify and speed up a production process in a palm oil factory, one of which is the Cake Breaker Conveyor (CBC) which functions to break/separate oil palm kernels. core of the shell in oil palm kernel processing. Problems that often occur in the process of separating pulp with palm kernel are in the transfer Cake Breaker Conveyor (CBC). This study tries to propose a machine maintenance system using the application of the RCM (Realibility Centered Maintenance) method on the CBC Cake Breaker Conveyor machine, where the RCM (Realibility Centered Maintenance) method is an identification technique with the intention of saving costs and maintenance to minimize the risk and impact of failure. in facilities and equipment utilities. From the test results the Mean Time to Failure (MTTF) value of the CBC engine clutch (Cake Breaker Conveyor) is 1,803 Hours. While the calculation results of the Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) value of the CBC engine clutch (Cake Breaker Conveyor) is 4:00 Hours Types of Preventive Maintenance and Time Based Maintenance For the optimal maintenance interval for the CBC (Cake Breaker Conveyor) engine clutch is 19 days.
 
 Keywords : Cake Breaker Conveyor, Realibility Centered Maintenance, Palm Oil Mill

Sebaran Kualitas Air Teluk Pamukan

Teluk Pamukan is the closest fishing ground used by fishermen who live on the coast of Teluk Pamukan. Apart from fisheries, several other activities in the Teluk Pamukan area include industrial shipping or coal transportation traffic using barges, transportation of crude palm oil (CPO), and is an area for loading and unloading fertilizers and oil palm kernels by tankers. This activity has led to allegations of disturbance in the aquatic ecosystem in the form of a decrease in water quality, particularly in fishing areas. The decrease in water quality will certainly affect the status of water quality that is no longer by its designation so that it can cause social problems in the community. The purpose of this research was to identify the general characteristics of Teluk Pamukan, map the distribution patterns of water quality and the scale of water quality in Teluk Pamukan, and to analyze fishermen's perceptions of the decline in water quality. The sampling location was in the waters of Teluk Pamukan. The method used to determine the status of water quality was the Pollutant Index according to the opinion of Sumitomo and Nemerow (1970). The results obtained can be concluded that the environmental quality scale for each parameter varied from very bad to very good. However, the results of the pollutant index calculation at all stations were included in the Moderately Polluted category

Compressive loading experiment of non-roasted bulk oil palm kernels at varying pressing factors

Abstract Compression testing of non-roasted bulk oil palm kernels at different processing factors was performed using a universal compression testing machine and a pressing vessel witha plunger. The purpose of the research was to describe regression models of deformation, deformation energy and percentage kernel oil depending on force, speed and vessel diameter. The tested compression forces were 100, 125, 150, 175 and 200 kN, while the speeds were 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 mm min−1. Three pressing vessels of diameter 60, 80 and 100 mm were used. Samples were compressed at an initial height of 60 mm. For varying forces and vessel diameters at a constant speed of 5 mm min−1, the values of deformation, deformation energy and percentage kernel oil ranged from 28.47±0.89 to 37.45±0.11 mm, 796±0.82 to 1795±49.01 J and 7.33±0.26 to 25.67±0.39%. At a constant force of 200 kN for different speeds and vessel diameters; the aforementioned determined parameters also ranged from 31.91±1.61 to 37.63±1.21 mm, 1012±26.76 to 1795±49.01 J and 14.66±0.42 to 24.98±1.37%. The results were statistically significant (p<0.05) or (F-ratio>F-critical), with high coefficients of determination between 0.74 and 0.99. Thus, higher force at specific speed may be needed to maximally recover kernel oil.

Experimental characterization and modeling of microwave heating of oil palm kernels, mesocarps, and empty fruit bunches

ABSTRACTThe current work investigates the microwave heating and drying behavior of oil palm fresh fruits and bunches. Dielectric, thermal, and mechanical properties of oil palm kernels (OPKs), mesocarps, and empty fruit bunches (EFBs) were determined. New empirical models of the dielectric constant, loss factor, elastic modulus, and yield stress as functions of moisture content were obtained for OPKs, mesocarps, and EFBs. The thermal conductivity of the mesocarps and EFBs was 0.458 and 0.0285 W/(m K), respectively. Thermal analyses showed that decomposition of OPKs, mesocarps, and EFBs started when the temperature exceeded 100°C. Multiphysics models that consider electromagnetic waves, moisture, and heat conservation as well as material deformation were developed for OPKs, mesocarps, and EFBs. The simulation results show that an EFB sample with high moisture content generated a high moisture gradient during heating, causing high stress that exceeded its yield stress. However, this effect occurred only during the initial heating. Our results show that microwave heating can aid the detachment of oil palm fruit from bunches before EFBs harden because of moisture loss.

Growth kinetic study of ionic liquid mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Elaeis guineensis (oil palm) kernels extract under microwave irradiation

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are the most studied nanomaterials due to their promising applications. However, surface capping of AuNPs is essential to protect aggregation for enhanced colloidal stability. In this study, a single step method was established to synthesize stable AuNPs using oil palm kernel (OPK) extract prepared in IL[EMIM][OAc] (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate). Ionic liquids were used for phytochemicals extraction along with capping and stabilizing of AuNPs after their synthesis. The OPK extract reduced the gold precursor, and UV–vis spectroscopy revealed a sharp surface plasmon (SPR) peaks in the region of 524–529nm, which confirmed the formation of AuNPs. UV–vis and TEM analysis indicated that microwave assisted synthesis was rapid to synthesize well dispersed and small sized AuNPs in comparison with conventional heating. FTIR analysis of kernels extract before and after its reaction with gold precursor identified the involvement of CH aromatic groups, polyphenolic OH groups, and carbonyl amide groups that are responsible for reduction of trivalent gold ions to AuNPs. EDAX and XPS analysis were performed to identify the elemental gold and its surface interaction with ILs and other organic moieties. Colloidal AuNPs kept at room temperature for periods of six months were remained stable. The change of pristine nanostructure arises due to involvement of different driving forces during growth of nanoparticles. Thermodynamically instability of nanomaterials may leads to Ostwald Repining (OR) or adopt complex pattern of growth and undergo coalesce and orientation attachment (OA). These models were fitted to compare the theoretically growth of particles along with actual increase of particles size. Experimental results suggested that OA growth was originated in early phase, however, it substituted and mainly controlled by OR growth pattern over time.

Oil point and mechanical behaviour of oil palm kernels in linear compression

AbstractThe study described the oil point and mechanical properties of roasted and unroasted bulk oil palm kernels under compression loading. The literature information available is very limited. A universal compression testing machine and vessel diameter of 60 mm with a plunger were used by applying maximum force of 100 kN and speed ranging from 5 to 25 mm min−1. The initial pressing height of the bulk kernels was measured at 40 mm. The oil point was determined by a litmus test for each deformation level of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mm at a minimum speed of 5 mmmin−1. The measured parameters were the deformation, deformation energy, oil yield, oil point strain and oil point pressure. Clearly, the roasted bulk kernels required less deformation energy compared to the unroasted kernels for recovering the kernel oil. However, both kernels were not permanently deformed. The average oil point strain was determined at 0.57. The study is an essential contribution to pursuing innovative methods for processing palm kernel oil in rural areas of developing countries.

Comparative microstructure study of oil palm fruit bunch fibre, mesocarp and kernels after microwave pre-treatment

The implementation of microwave technology in palm oil processing offers numerous advantages; besides elimination of polluted palm oil mill effluent, it also reduces energy consumption, processing time and space. However, microwave exposure could damage a material’s microstructure which affected the quality of fruit that can be related to its physical structure including the texture and appearance. In this work, empty fruit bunches, mesocarp and kernel was microwave dried and their respective microstructures were examined. The microwave pretreatments were conducted at 100W and 200W and the microstructure investigation of both treated and untreated samples were evaluated using scanning electron microscope. The micrographs demonstrated that microwave does not significantly influence kernel and mesocarp but noticeable change was found on the empty fruit bunches where the sizes of the granular starch were reduced and a small portion of the silica bodies were disrupted. From the experimental data, the microwave irradiation was shown to be efficiently applied on empty fruit bunches followed by mesocarp and kernel as significant weight loss and size reduction was observed after the microwave treatments. The current work showed that microwave treatment did not change the physical surfaces of samples but sample shrinkage is observed.

Performance evaluation of Magnus screw press (Model MS-100) for palm kernel oil extraction

The screw (expeller) press is extensively used for commercial extraction of palm kernel oil (PKO) from oil-palm kernels. In this work, Magnus (Nig.)screw press (Model MS-100,) locally fabricated at Nsukka, Nigeria was evaluated for throughput capacity, feed rate, press cake oil content, oil expelling efficiency (OEE), percentage un-pressed grits output, percentage sludge output, and specific energy consumption. One-factor-at-a-time (OFAT), completely randomized designed (CRD) experimental approach with 4 factor levels and 2 replications was used to determine the effect of kernel moisture contents (KMC), kernel heating temperatures (KHTs), and kernel heating durations (KHDs) on the (OEE) of the screw press. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was used to analyze the results. In its best operating settings, the MS-100 screw press has a throughput capacity of 91.7 kg-products/h at an average feed rate of 101.7 kg-kernels/h, press cake oil content of 13.6% (w/w); percentage actual oil yield of 33.6% (w/w); percentage cake output of 38% (w/w); percentage un-pressed kernel grits output of 14.2% (w/w); percentage sludge output of 3.6% (w/w); OEE of 73%; and specific energy consumption of 0.44 kWh/kg-kernels. The screw press is adjudged suitable for palm kernel oil extraction based on its OEE. The ANOVA of the results show that the best kernel factors for highest OEE include KMC of 5% w.b.; KHT of 50 - 130 o C; and KHDs of 5 - 10 min. The 14.2% un-pressed kernel grits output, however, is a problem of Magnus Screw Press that needed to be reduced or eliminated through design modifications. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v36i2.40

Modelling microwave heating of discrete samples of oil palm kernels

Recently, microwave (MW) pre-treatment of fresh palm fruits has showed to be environmentally friendly compared to the existing oil palm milling process as it eliminates the condensate production of palm oil mill effluent (POME) in the sterilization process. Moreover, MW-treated oil palm fruits (OPF) also possess better oil quality. In this work, the MW drying kinetic of the oil palm kernels (OPK) was determined experimentally. Microwave heating/drying of oil palm kernels was modelled and validated. The simulation results show that temperature of an OPK is not the same over the entire surface due to constructive and destructive interferences of MW irradiance. The volume-averaged temperature of an OPK is higher than its surface temperature by 3–7 °C, depending on the MW input power. This implies that point measurement of temperature reading is inadequate to determine the temperature history of the OPK during the microwave heating process. The simulation results also show that arrangement of OPKs in a MW cavity affects the kernel temperature profile. The heating of OPKs were identified to be affected by factors such as local electric field intensity due to MW absorption, refraction, interference, the contact effect between kernels and also heat transfer mechanisms. The thermal gradient patterns of OPKs change as the heating continues. The cracking of OPKs is expected to occur first in the core of the kernel and then it propagates to the kernel surface. The model indicates that drying of OPKs is a much slower process compared to its MW heating. The model is useful to design a microwave reactor which can be used to dry a large quantity of OPKs more effectively.

Mechanical behaviour of oil palm kernels (Elaeis Guineensis)

Mechanical properties including compressive force, deformation (mm), deformation energy (J), and hardness (N mm -1 ) were investigated for heat treated palm kernels in a compression loading test. The kernels were measured at pressing heights 60 and 80 mm respectively using the pressing vessel diameter 60 mm. Maximum pressing force 100 kN with a compression speed 1 mm s -1 was used to record the force-deformation characteristics. Maximum force was applied on the initial volume of material three times. The amounts of deformation, deformation energy, and kernel oil (g) decreased linearly in relation to repeated pressing of the initial volume of material. In contrast, kernel hardness increased. A little significant change in the kernels rate of deformation was observed in the entire test. However, in each test there was a measurable amount of kernel oil. The study indicated that a force greater than 100 kN would be needed to achieve higher percentage of kernel oil from heat treated palm kernels under compression loading. oil palm kernels; heat treatment; force; pressing height; deformation energy; kernel oil

PARAMETER ESTIMATION OF FICK'S LAW DRYING EQUATION

ABSTRACT Distributed parameter drying models such as the Fick's law diffusion model, unlike the lumped parameter model of van Meel whose parameters can be easily estimated by regression, suffer from the difficulty in estimating the parameters of the models quantitatively with accuracy. In the past they were estimated by visual inspection of the theoretical drying curves which fit the experimental drying curve best In this work, a quantitative parameter estimation technique originally suggested by Chavent, is developed by minimizing the integrated squares of error between theoretical and experimental curves over the drying lime (the criterion) subjected to the constraints that the theoretical curve is governed by the constant diffusivity Fick's taw diffusion equation (the constraint). Although the estimation of Fick's law constant diffusivity can be done by using the analytical solution developed by Crank, the use of the Fick's law model here is simply to demonstrate the utility of the proposed technique which can be used in more complex distributed models. The optimization problem is to solve for the adjoint equation for which the value of the Fick's law diffusivity minimizes the criterion. The Lagrangian derivative is solved by using a discrete derivative of the criterion. The theoretical curves are generated by using simple explicit (FSE) and modified Crank-Nicholson (FCR) algorithms The drying of oil palm kernels are used as a case study. Ii is found that the estimated diffusivities of moisture in oil palm kernels range from 0 5 to 5.0 × 10-10 m2sol;s which are comparable with published data. It is also found that the estimated diffusivity is dependent on the initial moisture content.

Drying Characteristics of Oil Palm Kernels

ABSTRACT The drying characteristics of a single oil palm kernel suspended in a drying tunnel is studied. Luikov's unsteady state simultaneous heat and mass transpon equations are proposed as the governing equations. The model is simulated using the explicit and modified implicit Crank Nicholson finite difference algorithms. The desorption isotherms of the kernel warj determined using an environmental chamber and the data generated was found to fit the Hasley's and Henderson's equations well. The mass diffusion coefficient was determined by using a distributed system parameter identification technique where a weighted least square criterion between model and experimental average moisture content and temperature profiles is optimized using the Lagrangian algorithm within the constraints of the governing equations. The simulated parameter estimated drying characteristics were found to be in good agreement with experimental values.

The activities of partially purified acid proteases of thermotolerant Aspergillus species from post harvest oil palm kernels

AbstractThe production and activities of extracellular acid proteases of Aspergillus fumigatus Fres and Aspergillus nidulans (Eidam) Wint were studied. Both species grew readily on the palm kernel oil‐peptone medium resulting in peak protease production and biomass accumulation occurring within the incubation period of 10 dys. Partial purification of the crude protease from the culture filtrate of A. fumigatus on DEAE‐cellulose and on Sephadex G‐200 gave a single active protease peak being eluted with thF protein front at A280‐A 47‐fold purification was achieved with a recovery value of 2.1 %. The specific activity (22.4 U/mg protein) of A. fumigatus protease was much higher than that of A. nidulans protease (11.4 U/mg protein). Also, A. fumigatus protease was most active at 40 °C and pH 5.8 on casein and on gelatin. A. nidulans protease acted best at 45 °C and pH 5.4 on similar substrate. The proteases from both fungi showed no exoprotease activity when used to hydrolyze leucine amide, hippuryl phenylalanine and hippuryl arginine.

Deterioration of shelled oil palm kernels caused by seedborne fungi

AbstractAutoclaved oil palm kernels were inoculated with spores of seedborne isolates of either Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, P. janthinellum, Paecilomyces varioti, Syncephalastrum racemosum or Fusarium oxysporum. At 0, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after inoculation, determinations were made of the moisture content, oil, free fatty acids (FFA), sugars and protein nitrogen. The principal biochemical changes induced by these fungi were increases in moisture content and FFA, decreases in total oil and total sugars and a degradation of protein nitrogen. Aspergillus flavus caused the greatest changes, and P. varioti caused the least changes under the moisture conditions of this experiment. The main type of deterioration was hydrolytic rancidity of the oil, resulting in a dark reddish‐orange‐coloured oil and a discoloration of the kernel meal.

Thermophilic fungi and the deterioration of nigerian oil palm kernels

The fruits of the oil palm Elaeis guineensis Jacq., are drupes borne in a large compact bunch. The drupe has a thin exocarp, a fleshy mesocarp and a hard endocarp enclosing an oily endosperm. The fruit yields both palm oil and palm kernel which are of economic importance to Nigeria. For some 20 years before the discovery of petroleum in Nigeria palm kernel occupied the third position in value of export commodities, and palm oil was in the fifth position. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) were first and second. Between 1949 and 1969, palm produce (palm oil and palm kernel) formed the number one earner of foreign exchange for Nigeria, contributing about 32 percent of the aggregate export earnings. Nigeria supplies approximately half of the palm produce entering the world market (Coursey et al., 1963; Kilby, 1967; Oyenuga, 1960; Oni, 1969). Palm oil is extracted from the mesocarp of the fruit by pressure after the mesocarp has been separated from the kernel. It is one of the world's most important vegetable oils, used principally in the manufacture of soap, margarine, lubricating oil and candles, and is an important item in the Nigerian diet. It is valuable as a food oil since it contains, among other things, appreciable amounts of carotene, the precursor of vitamin A. In traditional medicine, palm oil is used in the preparation of antidotes to relieve pains and to neutralize the effect of poisons and evil charms. It is an essential ingredient whenever sacrifices are made to appease Ogun, the god of Iron, who is believed to control accidents. The palm kernel of commerce is the endosperm of the palm fruit, obtained by forcibly splitting off the hard covering of endocarp. The oil extracted from the kernel (palm kernel oil) is used principally in the manufacture of soap and margarine and also in the production of biscuits and ice cream. The cake left after the oils are extracted forms a good livestock feed. Extraction of palm oil is done in Nigeria, while the kernels are exported to Britain for the extraction of the palm kernel oil which is normally light yellow in color. However, local people extract the palm kernel oil by heating the kernels in an open pot with gentle stirring. The oil so extracted is black and is separated from the remains of the kernels by running through a basket. This oil is used locally as a hair oil and in the preparation of the African black soap which is of great importance in local medicine. Traditional doctors use the oil in mixing medicinal ingredients both for oral consumption and for external application. Medicinal preparations include those used to relieve stomach pains and headache and those employed in neutralizing the effect of evil charms. The oil is also used in the preparation of purgatives. Palm oil and palm kernels are susceptible to fungal attack during processing and in storage resulting in the breakdown of oil into free fatty acids (f.f.a.) which reduces their market value and leads to considerable loss of revenue. Both mesophilic and thermophilic fungi have been isolated from decomposing oil palm produce in Nigeria (Coursey & Eggins, 1961a, 1961b; Eggins, 1964; Eggins & Coursey, 1964). The present study was designed to find out the effect of thermophilic fungi on the oil content, and hence the quality, of Nigerian palm kernels.

Utilization of lipids as sole carbon sources by thermophilic fungi

AbstractThe ability of six thermophilic fungi to utilize fatty acids and glycerol as sole carbon sources for growth was studied in liquid shake‐cultures at 45°C. These fungi, which were found occurring in stacks of oil palm kernels at the oil mills in Nigeria, included Chaetomium thermophile var. coprophile COONEY and EMERSON, Chaetomium thermophile var. dissitum COONEY and EMERSON, Mucor pusillus LINDT, Thermoascus aurantiacus MIEHE sensu APINIS, Thermoascus crustaceus (APINIS and CHESTERS) STOLK, and Humicola lanuginosa (GRIFFON and MAUBLANC) BUNCE. All the organisms produced the best growth on stearic, palmitic, oleic, and myristic acids with the exception of C. thermophile var. coprophile which did not grow on myristic acid. They all had an average growth on behenic, acetic, butyric, and valeric acids with the exception of T. crustaceus and H. lanuginosa which did not utilize butyric acid, and M. pusillus and H. lanuginosa which produced no growth on valeric acid. The other fatty acids tested, capric, caprylic, lauric, linoleic, and arachidic acids, were not available to any of them, while glycerol was utilized by all. The six organisms produced good growth and indicated acid production on a Nile blue sulphate/groundnut oil medium. Their involvement in the biodeterioration of oil palm produce during processing and in storage was suggested.