Palm Oil Research Articles

Determinants of Tax Regulations Referring to ESG Principles on Company Performance in Indonesia

Purpose: This study examines ESG integration in Indonesia's tax regulations and their impact on financial performance, focusing on green investments.Method: This study uses a qualitative case study method to analyze ESG integration in Indonesia's tax regulations, focusing on policies, carbon tax effectiveness, and emissions disclosure. The research is based on corporate legitimacy and institutional theories to explore the relationship between tax regulations and sustainable practices.Findings: The study's findings reveal significant growth in green investments in Indonesia, largely driven by supportive ESG-oriented tax policies. Despite this progress, challenges such as limited corporate awareness and data availability remain barriers to fully realizing the potential of these policies. The analysis also highlights the importance of these regulations in fostering sustainable business practices, particularly in industries like palm oil that are crucial for addressing climate change.Novelty: This research uniquely examines the impact of ESG-focused tax regulations on green investments and sustainable practices in Indonesia, using corporate legitimacy and institutional theories. It fills a literature gap by exploring how tax regulations drive ESG integration in the business sector of a developing country.Implications: The study has important implications for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders in Indonesia and similar economies. It shows that ESG-focused tax policies positively impact green investments, suggesting that refining and implementing these policies could strengthen sustainable business practices and support environmental goals. The study also emphasizes the need for greater corporate awareness and better data collection to address challenges and ensure effective ESG integration in the corporate sector.

Field-scale variability and dynamics of soil moisture in Southwestern Nigeria

This research leverages field-based sensors and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to elucidate soil moisture dynamics across diverse land uses in Southwestern Nigeria, including Cocoa, Cassava, Oil Palm, and Riparian ecosystems. The study synthesizes soil moisture data and geospatial coordinates from strategically selected land covers with satellite-derived soil moisture records from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) and the US Geological Survey. Through a robust analytical framework combining cross-correlation functions, wavelet analysis, and inverse distance weighting interpolation, we revealed distinct soil moisture patterns ranging from 0 to 47.9% in arable farms, 0 to 46.8% in built-up areas, 0 to 49.9% in cocoa farms, 0.2 to 49.7% in oil palm farms, and 5.6 to 94.1% in riparian vegetation. The coefficient of determination values between 0.7 and 0.97 (p ≤ 0.05) underscore the significant influence of periodic land use on soil moisture during the study period. A comparative analysis of ground-based and satellite data revealed a potential overestimation of minimum soil moisture values by 66% and an underestimation of maximum values by 4%. This investigation provides critical insights into the interplay between hydrological variables and agro-meteorological factors, informing the management and assessment of agricultural resources.

ANALISIS KEBERLANJUTAN PERKEBUNAN KELAPA SAWIT SWADAYA DI KECAMATAN SEKERNAN KABUPATEN MUARO JAMBI

This study aims to determine the general description of smallholder palm oil in Sekernan District, Muaro Jambi Regency, and analyze their sustainability status and sensitive attributes that affect them. The method used in this study is descriptive qualitative and quantitative analysis to determine the status of the sustainability index of smallholder palm oil using MDS Rapid Apparasial analysis, which is modified to RAP-PalmOil, and leverage analysis is used to determine its sensitive attributes. This research was conducted in Suko Awin Jaya, Bukit Baling, Tantan, and Tunas Mudo villages. The sampling location in this study was determined purposively (purposive) with a sample of 100 respondents, who were then determined by simple random sampling. The study results show that the sustainability status of smallholder palm oil in Sekernan District is multidimensionally considered quite sustainable. The economic dimension provides the highest sustainability index and is followed by the social and ecological dimension, which is considered quite sustainable. The sensitive attribute or attribute that has the most influence on the sustainability index value on the ecological dimension is the fertilization period, while the economic dimension is farming income, and the sensitive attribute on the social dimension is conflict resolution

Efficient Catalytic Hydrocracking of Crude Palm Oil Over EDTA Template-assisted SiO2-Al2O3/NiMo Catalysts

The development of hydrocracking catalysts for crude palm oil (CPO) is a challenging process due to its limited textural or pore accessibility and low acidity properties. Therefore, this study aims to develop a series of SiO2-Al2O3-x/NiMo catalysts using different Al mass (x = 5, 10, 25 g) assisted with EDTA to enhance their physicochemical properties. During the procedures, bimetallic NiMo species were dispersed into SiO2-Al2O3-x using the wet impregnation method. The structural, textural, surface morphology, particle size distribution, and acidity properties of the products were then assessed. Catalytic activity of catalysts on hydrocracking of CPO was evaluated at 350 °C for 2 h, H2 gas pressure of 20 bar, and mixed at 1500 rpm. The results showed that increasing Al mass caused an increment in the total acidity, acid site density, and surface area of SiO2-Al2O3-x. In addition, SiO2-Al2O3-25 provided better support properties, allowing preferable NiMo dispersion. Hydrocracking assessment showed that CPO conversion was increased at higher Al mass, producing the highest bio-aviation and biogasoline fractions yield. Based on these results, SiO2-Al2O3-x/NiMo successfully enhanced CPO conversion of unloaded SiO2-Al2O3-x, as well as increased the yield of bio-aviation and biogasoline fractions.

Analysis of Hazardous and Toxic Waste Management (B3) from the Perspective of Safety, Health, Productivity and Waste Minimization at PT X

The management of Hazardous and Toxic Waste (B3) must be carried out by waste producers. PT X as a producer of B3 waste in its production process uses palm oil raw materials and other auxiliary materials. Producers carry out management in accordance with applicable regulations. Waste management can be seen from the perspective of safety, health, productivity and waste minimization. The purpose of this study is to analyze the management of B3 Waste from the perspective of safety, health, productivity and minimization. Data was obtained from surveys and interviews. Analysis method used in statistics. The results of the study showed that 97% strongly agreed with safety, 93% health, 99% productivity and 96% waste initiation.

Double (W1/O/W2) emulsions prepared with natural vegetable oils and varied inner glucose concentration: Microstructure, rheology and stability

The objective was to study the microstructure, rheology and stability of double (W1/O/W2) emulsions prepared with Tween 80 as hydrophilic emulsifier and coconut, palm or sunflower oil. The effects of glucose concentration in inner aqueous phase and crystallization of lipid phase were analyzed. Aggregation of oil globules by partial coalescence was observed in emulsions prepared with coconut or palm oil because of the crystallization of the lipid phase. The increase of glucose concentration increased the amount of inner water by osmotic swelling and produced a higher partial coalescence degree due to a higher collision frequency between oil globules. Consequently, higher elastic and viscous modules were observed at higher glucose concentration. Fat crystals in lipid phase allowed a partial retention of inner water in the absence of glucose, but they also favored the release of inner water due to partial coalescence. Creaming stability was enhanced by the presence of glucose, because of the formation of a three-dimensional network of aggregated oil globules in emulsions with coconut or palm oil, and a higher packing and global density of oil globules in systems with sunflower oil. The obtained results contribute to the understanding of partial coalescence in W1/O/W2 emulsions, including its effects on inner water release and creaming stability. This work could be relevant for the design and stabilization of vegetable, lipid-reduced food emulsions prepared with natural oils.

THERMAL TREATMENT OF AGRICULTURAL WASTE AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOR PRODUCING SOLID BIOFUELS

Brazil stands out in terms of the composition of its energy matrix, with biofuels playing an important role, with many different raw materials requiring study. This article seeks to evaluate thermal treatment's effect on different biomass species to improve their energy characteristics, through an analysis of immediate chemical composition (as standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials), spectroscopy in the infrared region, and thermogravimetry. This paper details the energy potential for each biomass, establishing the torrefaction processes with the best yield from agricultural residue of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.), cacao (Theobroma cacao L.), sugarcane (Saccharum spp.), coconut (Cocos nucifera L.), palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), and papaya (Carica papaya L.). The thermal treatment of biomass proved effective in obtaining a solid biofuel with a higher heating value, as diagnosed through immediate chemical analyses.

Upcycling lignocellulosic palm biomass via Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) composting incorporated with Ex-situ fermentation by Bacillus Subtilis

The growing demand of palm oil has caused expanding deforestation- one of the root causes for global warming. Drawn from the recent Conferences of the Parties (COP) 28, 39 % reduction in global carbon emission would need to be met by 2030 and this requires cooperation from all nations. Hence, the palm oil-producing nations could play their parts by upcycling palm waste biomass to promote sustainable palm oil production. Oil palm frond (OPF), a highly abundant biomass resulted from fruit pruning remains underutilized – mainly due to the undesirable biomass moisture level and low conversion technology readiness in the region. Composting OPF via Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) was proposed to overcome the technological barrier. However, OPF was not palatable for BSFL mainly being nutritionally deficient and highly lignocellulosic. Hence, ex-situ fermentation via Bacillus subtilis followed by blending with decanter cake (DC), nitrogenous palm waste was studied prior to BSFL composting. Results showed that treatment E (OPF:DC 3:7 wt) led to the highest BSFL weight gain (49 %) and biomass degradation (58 %) after 20 rearing days. The reared larvae consisted of 30 % and 22 % crude protein and lipid, respectively – making them an ideal insect meal. Overall, this research aims to give a preliminary overview of employing BSFL in composting highly recalcitrant palm waste biomass.

Modelling water use efficiency (WUE) for estimating the severity of Ganoderma boninense-derived basal stem rot disease in oil palm

Modelling water use efficiency (WUE) for estimating the severity of Ganoderma boninense-derived basal stem rot disease in oil palm

Socioeconomic Profiling and Dynamics: Insights from a Rural Community Study in Kedah

This study provides a socio-economic profile of Mahang and Nagalilit, two sub-districts in Kulim, Kedah, Malaysia. Residents of Mahang primarily rely on rubber tapping and oil palm cultivation, industries vulnerable to monsoon weather. In Desa Keda Nagalilit, locals are employed in the nearby hi-tech industrial area, oil palm plantations, or as shop assistants. Many households earn below the minimum wage, compelling residents to take on multiple jobs for financial stability. Data was systematically collected through questionnaires focusing on household demographics, socio-economic conditions, and lifestyle patterns. The analysis offers valuable insights into the living conditions and challenges these communities face, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The research revealed income disparities and variations in living standards between sub-districts, underscoring the socio-economic impact of the pandemic. It further examined how variables such as age, income, employment status, and education correlate with financial strain, mental health issues, and disruptions to daily life. Findings demonstrate significant relationships between socioeconomic factors and the pandemic's effects, emphasizing the need for targeted measures to alleviate poverty, improve education, and enhance residents’ overall quality of life while addressing financial and mental health challenges

Isolation and Screening of Indigenous Filamentous Fungi Producing Ligninolytic, Cellulolytic and Hemicellulolytic Enzymes from Decomposed Oil Palm Frond

Oil palm frond (OPF) is a palm oil plantation by-product commonly used in animal feeding in Malaysia. The large production, availability, and nutrient content make OPF the best candidate for utilization as animal feed. However, OPF contains high lignin bonds to cellulose and hemicellulose that further limit the digestibility of rumen microbes to produce volatile fatty acids as an energy source for ruminants. This study aims to identify and determine the enzyme activity (ligninolytic, cellulolytic, and hemicellulolytic) of enzymes extracted from filamentous fungi in the pre-treatment of OPF using the solid-state fermentation (SSF) technique. The enzyme extracted from SSF was determined by its enzyme activity (laccase, lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase, carboxymethylcellulose, avicelase, and xylanase). Eight fungi were successfully identified to produce enzymes determined in this experiment. Phanerina mellea showed the highest average ligninolytic enzyme activity with a value of 0.37 U/mL and an average cellulolytic + hemicellulolytic of 0.18 U/mL. In this experiment, P. mellea was the most desired fungi for the pre-treatment of OPF. The optimum ligninolytic enzyme production time of OPF pre-treatment is 10 days of SSF.

Characterization of a Polyphenol Oxidase and Lipase Produced by Microbes Derived from Palm Oil Sludge

Introduction: The waste-to-wealth concept was applied in this study. Our main objective was to identify and evaluate several microorganisms responsible for the production of important industrial enzymes using sludge from palm oil processing. We were able to isolate several bacteria that are tyrosinase producers: Bacillus cereus, Acinobacter seifertii, Klebsiella variicola and Pseudomonas stutzeri. Laccase producers Trametes polyzona, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus and Staphylococcus condimenti, as well as lipase producers. Methods: In addition, we focused specifically on B. cereus because we knew that it produces tyrosinase. Lipase is another target enzyme, and S. condimenti was found to be a hyperproducer. Production conditions included a 24-hour incubation period at 40°C and a pH of 6.0, while typical substrates such as starch and coconut oil were used. Results: Preliminary protein purification studies identified a 43 kDa lipase that is active at pH 7.0 and 40°C. Salts such as NaCl, various detergents such as Triton X-100 and Tween-80 as well as many metal ions enhanced the activity and made the enzyme unique in its biological function. Conclusion: Even with EDTA (2.5 mM), which does not completely block its function, only 40% inhibition was observed. Only a few organic solvents such as butanol, acetone and DMF are involved in inhibiting its activity.

Optimizing VGG16 for Accurate PestIdentification in Oil Palm: A Comparative Studyof Fine-Tuning Techniques

Optimizing VGG16 for Accurate PestIdentification in Oil Palm: A Comparative Studyof Fine-Tuning Techniques

Bonding strength of steel and concrete containing Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS)

The usage of recycled materials in concrete has become popular recently. This paper focuses on a study related to the bonding between steel and concrete containing expanded polystyrene beads (EPS) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA) as replacement material. The EPS were used as fine aggregate replacement, and POFA was used as cement replacement. The replacement percentages for EPS and POFA in the concrete were limited to a range of 0-30% and 0-10%, respectively. Previous studies have identified the potential of POFA and EPS as concrete substances. The typical issue with EPS-containing concrete is its characteristic weakness, which leads to a compromised bond with steel. This occurs because EPS fails to effectively interact with cement, resulting in a weak bond and low compressive strength. Consequently, in this study, POFA is introduced as an addition to enhance the bond strength between EPS-containing concrete and steel. Pull-out tests in this study seem to represent the bonding performance between concrete and steel. The 10% of POFA in concrete seems might improve its performance in terms of compression strength, and bonding between concrete and steel.

Using plant-based hydrogel-oleogels to replace palm oil: impact on texture, sensory, and fatty acid composition of chocolate spreads

Using plant-based hydrogel-oleogels to replace palm oil: impact on texture, sensory, and fatty acid composition of chocolate spreads

Adsorption of Cr(VI) and phosphate anions by amino-functionalized palm oil fibers.

This work developed a novel sustainable adsorbent (PF-Aq) prepared by the amino-functionalization of palm oil fibers (PF). XPS, SEM/EDS, TGA/DSC, and FT-IR techniques proved the successful functionalization of the PF with the amino group. The PF-Aq adsorbent presents a high adsorption capacity for phosphate and Cr(VI) ions. Adsorption kinetics of the ions onto the PF-Aq followed the general-order models, with 240- and 300-min equilibrium times for phosphate and Cr(VI), respectively. The Freundlich equilibrium model can explain the adsorption of phosphate and Cr(VI) on the PF-Aq. Besides, the maximum adsorption capacities were 151.07mgg-1 for phosphate and 206.08mgg-1 for Cr(VI). The best pH for the adsorption of both ions on PF-Aq was 4.0. Interestingly, adsorption was exothermic for phosphate and endothermic for Cr(VI). The adsorption capacities were reduced by 16% for phosphate and 10% for Cr(VI) after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles, demonstrating the good recyclability of the PF-Aq. It can be concluded that PF-Aq is a relevant adsorbent to uptake phosphate and Cr(VI) from water due to its high adsorption capacity, low cost, recyclability, availability, and fast kinetics. Finally, the excellent adsorption potential results from inserting amino groups in the PF, allowing electrostatic interactions between adsorbent and adsorbate.

Nitrogen-doped activated carbon derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) for sustainable lithium-ion battery

Nitrogen-doped activated carbon derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) for sustainable lithium-ion battery

Development and Molecular Characterization of a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) Marker for the Identification of Hybrid Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Development and Molecular Characterization of a Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR) Marker for the Identification of Hybrid Oil Palm (<i>Elaeis guineensis</i> Jacq.)

Prediction and Analysis of the Global Suitable Habitat of the Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Based on the MaxEnt Model.

The Asiatic rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), is a destructive invasive species that poses a serious threat to palms, oil palms, and other plants. Defining a suitable area for the distribution of O. rhinoceros is essential for the development of appropriate policies and preventive measures. In this work, the MaxEnt niche model and ArcGIS software were used to predict the potential geographic distribution of O. rhinoceros in the world based on occurrence data and related environmental variables and to speculate on the influence of environmental variables on the distribution of O. rhinoceros. The results showed that the suitable areas of O. rhinoceros beetle were mainly distributed in 30° N-30° S, and the highly suitable areas were concentrated in South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and northern Oceania. The key environmental variables that determine the distribution location of O. rhinoceros are Precipitation of Wettest Month (bio13), Temperature of July (tmin7), Minimum Temperature of November (tmin11), and Precipitation of September (prec9). The prediction results of the MaxEnt model can reflect the global distribution of O. rhinoceros. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of O. rhinoceros and the development of relevant quarantine measures.

Turning waste into strength: Enhancing geopolymer composites with Oil Palm Frond Fibers (OPF)

Geopolymers are alternatives to ordinary Portland cement as construction materials. The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has driven the utilization of industrial by-products and agricultural waste. The disposal of oil palm frond (OPF) biomass as waste in landfills poses significant environmental challenges, necessitating effective recycling strategies. This study examines the incorporation and feasibility of OPF as a reinforcing fiber in fly ash geopolymer composites, examining its impact on physical and mechanical properties. Various parameters were tested, including fiber content (10–20 wt.%), shapes (shredded and tubular), and lengths (1–3 cm). The geopolymer composites with 10 wt.% shredded oil palm frond and 1-cm tubular oil palm frond fibers enhance the compressive strength by 17% compared to the control sample without oil palm frond. The shredded oil palm frond was particularly effective, enhancing strength performance and achieving better dispersion within the geopolymer matrix. Conversely, increasing the fiber content and length generally resulted in diminished composite strength, attributed to the creation of a more porous structure and weaker fiber-matrix interactions. However, lower fiber additions were shown to decrease porosity and water absorption, highlighting the potential of optimized oil palm frond fiber content and form in improving the environmental and mechanical performance of geopolymer composites. These results support the viability of oil palm frond as a sustainable additive in geopolymers, contributing to waste reduction and material innovation in construction.