Palm Oil Research Articles

Mechanical Properties of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Containing Unground Palm Oil Fuel Ash as Partial Sand Replaceme

Escalating quantity of industrial by-products generated, including oil palm shell (OPS) and palm oil fuel ash (POFA ) of the palm oil industries, has been a concern to many analysts. They are mostly disposed off as wastes that would heavily impact the environment quality. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the possibility of consuming these wastes by using OPS and POFA as replacement materials for fine aggregates in the concrete mixture. The mixtures were prepared by integrating unground palm oil fuel ash of 0%, 10%, and 20% (by weight of sand) to produce lightweight concrete. The experiments observed the mechanical performance of these specimens for 180 curing days. The results show the enhancement of concrete strength relative to the control mixture by using 10% of ash. This is owing to void filling mechanism and product of pozzolanic reaction due to the fine particles of the ash.

Acceleration of Early Strength Development in Mortars Containing Soluble Silica Extracted from Palm Oil Clinker

Soluble silica from palm oil clinker was extracted using Laine’s method. It involved two major steps, namely water reflux and distillation. The use of 480 g of POCP and 12 hours of distillation in the extraction experiment resulted in 53.50% of dissolved silica, which was the highest gain among the trial experiments and was chosen as an optimum parameter for the subsequent characterisation analysis. In addition, its effect on cement hydration was studied by including it as a filler in mortar mixtures. Mortar with 7.50% of extracted silica gained high strength in the early days of curing and performed well throughout the maturing age. The rapid hardening properties of soluble silica-based mortar would promote the potential of soluble silica as an additive for rapid hardening.

The behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Beams by Using Expanded Polystyrene Beads and Palm Oil Fuel Ash as Replacement Materials

The Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams containing Expanded Polystyrene Beads (EPS) and Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) as sand and cement replacement with a percentage between 10% and 30% were studied in terms of load-deflection behaviour. RC beam’s size was 1000×150×150 mm and simply supported at spaced 750 mm apart. The 10% of POFA without EPS shows a slight increase which is 0.26% higher than normal concrete in compressive strength. The ultimate load and flexural performance of RC beams with EPS and POFA exhibited a decreasing trend. All beams’ ultimate load exceeds the design value. The cracks of the RC beam may be classified as vertical flexural cracks, and some of the cracks can be classified as shear cracks based on the crack angle. As the percentage of EPS and POFA increases above 20% for all specimens, cracking starts to change to shear cracking.

Deoxygenation of waste sludge palm oil into hydrocarbon rich fuel over carbon-supported bimetallic tungsten-lanthanum catalyst

Activated carbon (AC) supported catalysts have been extensively applied as deoxygenation (DO) catalysts. However, the details of in situ experimental investigations that relevant to this catalyst are limited. Hereby, we present a series of operando/in situ spectroscopic experiments for DO of waste sludge palm oil (WSPO) by using atomically dispersed La-W bimetallic supported AC catalysts (La-W/AC) with well-defined structures. The La(5%)-W(2%)/AC catalyst prepared through co-precipitation (CP) process rendered high surface area (741 m2/g) and catalyst’s acidity (13319.16 µmol/g). Besides, the catalyst demonstrated a superior catalytic performance of DO reactivity under optimal reaction conditions of 0.5 % catalyst loading (CL), a one hour reaction time (Rt), and 250 °C reaction temperature (RT), achieving 98 % WSPO conversion to green fuel turnover frequency (TOF) of 0.0153 s-1. The reusability of La(5%)-W(2%)/AC catalyst was positively active for eight runs of DO process with constant of conversion rate at > 87 %. In addition, DO mechanism was of WSPO model compound (palmitic acid) was conducted to gain the clearer insight of reaction pathway catalysed by La-W/C catalyst. In situ FTIR analysis confirms the presence of intermediates (e.g. n-heptadecane, n-pentadecane, n-nonane, n-tridecane, and trimethylcyclopentene) that attributed buy the acid site of the heteropoly acid support. Besides, in situ XAS spectroscopy consolidates the oxidation state of La and W, where the presence of metal centre, support and substrate were confirmed to reflect the occurrence of palmitic acid DO on atomically dispersed La and W active sites. Thus, the present findings identified several key product intermediates during DO process, as well as the stable-state of catalyst structure, which suggest that the atomically dispersed La(5%)-W(2%)/AC catalysed reactions follow an unconventional decarboxylation/decarbonylation reaction pathways with the activation of oxygen (O2) removing is rate limiting.

The influence of palm oil-derived plasticizers and lubricants on the rheological and mechanical properties of styrene butadiene rubber

Researchers have recently focused on green processing aids made from plants and vegetables to avoid the high concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from petroleum-based processing oils, which is hazardous to human health. This paper focuses on the effect of lubricants and plasticisers produced from palm oil on the rheological, mechanical and thermal aging properties of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). These lubricants and plasticisers are known as glycerol trioleate (GTO), n-butyl stearate (NBS), ethylene bis-steramide (EBS), ethylene bis-oleamide (EBO), pentaerythritol tetrastearate (PETS) and stearyl stearate. The abrasion performance, visual inspection appearance, and cure characteristics of the lubricants and plasticisers on SBR were examined and compared to processing oil-treated distillate aromatic extract (TDAE), paraffin wax, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene (PE) wax, epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO), and stearic acid. It discovered that rubber compounds based on GTO, stearic acid, and EBS exhibited better abrasion resistance and cure properties than rubber compounds based on processing oil. These samples were selected and subjected to mechanical properties, thermal aging effects analysis and comparison with processing oil. Tensile strength shows that SBR with EBS (22.49 MPa) and EBS with GTO (EBS/GTO; 21.25 MPa) are closely similar to SBR compounds with processing oil (21.02 MPa). The findings imply that EBS and EBS/GTO, green plasticisers and lubricants, are viable alternatives to petroleum-based processing oils while being cost-effective for tire production.

Effect of ultrasound-advanced oxidation processes for pretreatment of oil palm mesocarp fiber for cellulose extraction

Effect of ultrasound-advanced oxidation processes for pretreatment of oil palm mesocarp fiber for cellulose extraction

Protective Activity of Palm Oil Extracts against Dichlorvos Poisoning in Rats: Biochemical Parameters and Mechanisms of Action

Protective activity on biochemical parameters and possible mechanisms of action of palm oil extracts were investigated in orally Dichlorvos poisoned rats and the efficacy of treatments in the poisoned rats. The safety profile of the extracts was evaluated via acute toxicity studies which was done in two phases. To screen for phytochemicals, present in this extract. This study was carried out in Pharmacy and KIUTH laboratories, Kampala International University, Uganda. Wistar rats of both sexes, weighing 85g and above were used for the study. Selection of rats was done by simple random sampling. At the end of the administration, plasma biochemical parameters were measured as indices of organ toxicity. The red palm oil used in treatment of Dichlorvos poisoned rats caused a reduction in concentration of some of the biochemical parameters of the rats when given simultaneously compared to the kernel oil combinations. Administration of palm oil does not have prophylactic effect against the poison. However, it does seem to have similar protective effects against oxidative stress with ascorbic acid. In summary the administration of palm oil seemed to have limited ameliorative role against Dichlorvos poisoning in rats. Keywords: Dichlorvos, palm oil, palm kernel oil, rats, acute toxicity, oxidative stress.

Effect of pre-treatments and frying conditions on the formation of starch-lipid complex in potato starch chips during deep-frying process

This study examined the influence of various pretreatment methods, frying durations, and temperatures, as well as the type of frying oil, on the formation and structure of starch-lipid complexes in fried potato chips. Potato starch was processed into dough, sliced, and subjected to deep frying following various pretreatments. Structural analysis showed that steaming as a pretreatment facilitated the generation of V-type starch-lipid complexes, whereas resistant starch type III (RS3) materialized in the desiccated samples instead of the anticipated complexes. The rate of starch-lipid complex formation initially surged but subsequently declined as treatment time increased. A reduction in treatment temperature from 190 °C to 170 °C was conducive to complex formation. Moreover, the maximum relative crystallinity (19.74 %) and ΔH value (7.76 J/g) were recorded for potato starch slices pretreated by steaming and frying in palm oil. Rapeseed oil, which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (89.98 %), inhibits complex formation. The study concludes that pretreatment methods exert a substantial effect on the formation of starch-lipid complexes and that extended frying duration and elevated temperature may reduce this formation. Oils with longer-chain fatty acids and a lower degree of unsaturation were favorable for complex formation.

Effects of Active Ingredients in Alcoholic Beverages and Their De-Alcoholized Counterparts on High-Fat Diet Bees: A Comparative Study.

The mechanisms by which alcohol, alcoholic beverages, and their de-alcoholized derivatives affect animal physiology, metabolism, and gut microbiota have not yet been clarified. The polyphenol, monosaccharide, amino acid, and organic acid contents of four common alcoholic beverages (Chinese Baijiu, beer, Chinese Huangjiu, and wine) and their de-alcoholized counterparts were analyzed. The research further explored how these alcoholic beverages and their non-alcoholic versions affect obesity and gut microbiota, using a high-fat diet bee model created with 2% palm oil (PO). The results showed that wine, possessing the highest polyphenol content, and its de-alcoholized form, particularly when diluted five-fold (WDX5), markedly improved the health markers of PO-fed bees, including weight, triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels in blood lymphocytes. WDX5 treatment notably increased the presence of beneficial microbes such as Bartonella, Gilliamella, and Bifidobacterium, while decreasing Bombilactobacillus abundance. Moreover, WDX5 was found to closely resemble sucrose water (SUC) in terms of gut microbial function, significantly boosting short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide metabolism, and associated enzymatic pathways, thereby favorably affecting metabolic regulation and gut microbiota stability in bees.

In silico study of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins in oil palm, coconut, and date palm: evolutionary insights into genetic relations, sequence conservation, and functional implications

In silico study of phosphatidylethanolamine-binding proteins in oil palm, coconut, and date palm: evolutionary insights into genetic relations, sequence conservation, and functional implications

MENINGKATKAN OMZET PENJUALAN MELALUI PENINGKATAN KUALITAS PRODUKSI TANDAN BUAH SEGAR DI PT. MAKMUR AGRO LESTARI

PT. Makmur Agro Lestari, Ketungau Hilir District, is one of the oil palm plantations in the Sintang Regency region, which also produces fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from its own plantations. Market FFB using sustainable and quality production methods so that the company's palm sales can increase with each harvest and each year. This type of research is qualitative. Data collection involved interviews, document research, and observations. The research subjects are property managers, administrative heads and employees. The researchers analyzed the results of the interviews based on the respondents' understanding of what was expressed. The data that has been compiled must be understood as a whole so that the researcher can grasp the experiences, issues, and dynamics that are actually occurring within the population being studied. Research results show that marketing of palm products always meets FFB's sales goals. The company has cooperated with customers to sell palm products to PT. ASL - POM Agency is one of the largest buyers of palm fruit in West Kalimantan. From the quality perspective of FFB. Makmur Agro Lestari Ketungau Hilir district harvests and sells selectively, so the quality and selling price are stable according to FFB's market price when sold to purchasing companies.

Crystallization behavior of monoglyceride oleogels: A comparison between a fully hydrogenated palm oil and a fully hydrogenated rapeseed oil based monoglycerides

AbstractFat polymorphism plays a crucial role in many fat‐rich food products (e.g., margarine, chocolate). Due to this, polymorphism of triglycerides is widely investigated. During the previous years, the interest of using monoglyceride oleogels to replace margarine is increasing due to its structure, reduced amount of saturated fatty acids, stability and application potential. However, polymorphism of monoglyceride oleogels is less investigated. This research shows the effect of the composition (C18:0 or C18:0 and C16:0), temperature (25°C–20°C–10°C) and production process (static or lab‐scale scraped surface heat exchanger) on the crystallization behavior of monoglyceride oleogels (MO) by using differential scanning calorimetry, (synchrotron) X‐ray scattering and polarized light microscopy. Based on time‐resolved synchrotron WAXS, it was found that the rapeseed oil based MO (MO‐C18) occurred in four different polymorphs. During crystallization, transitions from an inverse lamellar phase (Lα) toward sub‐α1 and sub‐α2 could be established. Upon storage, a polymorphic transition toward β occurred. For the palm oil based MO (MO‐C18/C16), only two polymorphs were found during crystallization (Lα, sub‐α), followed by a polymorphic transition to β upon storage. By applying high shear and cooling rates during the production of MO‐C18 (dynamic production), the polymorphic transition from sub‐α2 to β occurred much faster compared to the static production method. When comparing the dynamically produced MO‐C18 and MO‐C18/C16, the thickness of 1 lamella, the crystal nanoplatelet and the fat crystals were smaller for MO‐C18/C16. This research clearly illustrates that the composition and the applied crystallization conditions have an impact on the properties from nano‐ to microscale.Practical Application: This research illustrates the importance of engineering monoglycerides oleogels to obtain food products with an improved nutritional balance. Hereby, the manuscript focuses on the crystallization behavior of monoglyceride oleogels by changing the composition and the crystallization procedure. The acquired insights go beyond the state of the art. It was found that applying high cooling rates and high shear rates by using a lab‐scale scraped surface heat exchanger affected the crystallization behavior of monoglyceride oleogels. These are crucial experiments to verify the application potential of monoglyceride oleogels in the food industry. Moreover, different polymorphic transitions occurred for the two types of monoglycerides. This is the starting point to investigate the effect of polymorphism on a final food product in order to improve the nutritional balance in fat‐rich food products.

Physicochemical characterisation and kinetic modelling of wet torrefied oil palm trunk in pyrolysis condition

AbstractOver 218 million tonnes of oil palm trunks (OPT) waste is produced annually by Malaysian oil palm industry, which can be converted to biofuels via wet torrefaction. This study assessed the fuel characteristics of wet torrefied OPT (WT‐OPT) using proximate analysis, higher heating value (HHV) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X–ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX). Increasing wet torrefaction temperature and residence time increased the fixed carbon content and HHV of OPT. SEM–EDX revealed the presence of microspheres of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) in OPT wet torrefied at 180 and 220°C for 72 h, an intermediate compound that can contribute to the HHV enhancement in WT‐OPT. FTIR and EDX results revealed that higher temperature and residence time concentrate the carbon content of OPT. Wet torrefaction at 180°C for 72 h decreased the activation energy and pre‐exponential factor of OPT from 301.88 to 171.70 kJ mol−1 and from 4.43 × 1028 to 3.25 × 1012 s−1, respectively, during pyrolysis. The estimated thermodynamic parameters, particularly the change in entropy which generally decreased by more than 140 J mol−1 K−1, indicated increase in stability of certain WT‐OPT.

Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Extract of Epiphytic Shrub Leaves (Ficus heteropleura Blume) on Oil Palm Plant and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activity Against Escherichia coli

Silver nanoparticles are silver metal particles with a size of less than 100 nm. Extract of epiphytic shrub leaves (Ficus heteropleura Blume) serves as a bioreductant in producing silver nanoparticles, which are utilized for their antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli. This study aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles and assess their activity against Escherichia coli. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using the green synthesis method with Ficus heteropleura leaf extract with silver nitrate (AgNO3). AgNPs were synthesized using a 1 mM solution of AgNO3 and different concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10%) of Ficus heteropleura extract. The AgNPs were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, and PSA. UV-Vis analysis revealed that AgNPs at concentrations ranging from 2% to 10% exhibited absorbance peaks within the wavelength range of 201.2–473.5 nm. FTIR analysis identified functional groups such as OH, CH, C=C, C≡C, C≡N, and CO, which played a role in reducing silver nanoparticles. The size distribution of AgNPs was determined, with AgNPs synthesized at a concentration of 6% exhibiting a size range of 1–100 nm, constituting 40.77% of the total. For AgNPs synthesized at concentrations of 8% and 10%, the percentage of nanoparticles in the 1–100 nm size range was found to be 26.845% and 1.28%, respectively. The antibacterial activity of AgNPs at concentrations of 6% and 8% against Escherichia coli demonstrated moderate effectiveness.

Development of new high-yielding planting material based on performance of 38 oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Dura × Pisifera families

Development of new high-yielding planting material based on performance of 38 oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Dura × Pisifera families

In-Situ AFM Studies of Surfactant Adsorption on Stainless Steel Surfaces during Electrochemical Polarization

Corrosion inhibitors are one of the best practices to prevent the far-reaching negative impacts of corrosion on ferrous alloys. A thorough understanding of their corrosion-inhibiting effects is essential for a sustainable economy and environment. Anionic surfactants are known to act efficiently as corrosion inhibitors. Here, we present that in-situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements can provide deep insights into the adsorption and inhibition mechanism of surfactants on stainless steel surfaces during local corrosion. These include the configuration of surfactant molecules on the surface and how the microstructure of the stainless steel surface influences the inhibition process. Three different anionic surfactants, namely palm kernel oil (PKO), linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), and fatty alcohol ether sulfate (FAES), were investigated on a titanium-stabilized ferritic stainless steel (1.4510) in NaCl solution. For PKO, the results show random adsorption of bi- and multilayer whereas LAS and FAES adsorb only as local corrosion occurs. Thereby, LAS accumulates only locally and especially at the titanium precipitates of the 1.4510 and FAES forms a densely packed monolayer on the surface. This leads to better corrosion inhibiting properties for LAS and FAES compared to PKO.

The diversity of indigenous and potential bacteria as bioremediator of palm oil mill secondary effluent (POMSE) by metagenomics assessment

Abstract. Karno R, Arisoesilaningsih E, Mustafa I, Siswanto D. 2024. The diversity of indigenous and potential bacteria as bioremediator of palm oil mill secondary effluent (POMSE) by metagenomics assessment. Biodiversitas 25: 1194-1200. This study aimed to identify the indigenous bacteria for potential bioremediation agents of palm oil mill secondary effluent (POMSE). Samples were obtained from the secondary pond of palm oil mill treatment. The bacterial diversity on the POMSE water samples was revealed by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The results showed that the high abundance of bacteria phylum was Pseudomonadota or Proteobacteria (50%), Bacillota (31%), Bacteroidota (5%), and Thermotogae (3%). A photosynthetic sulfur bacterium, Allochromatium humboldtianum, was the most abundant species detected in the POMSE, with more than 8% of the total Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) detected. It was followed by Allochromatium phaeobacterium (6%), Allochromatium sp. (6%), and Macromonas bipunctata (6%). Meanwhile, the level of physicochemical parameters in POMSE were relatively high for several main parameters of the quality standard of palm oil industry waste, such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). In contrast, oil and fat are low and meet the quality standards. The value of POMSE physicochemical parameters, including COD, BOD, and oil and fat, were 2,492.46, 852.96, and 6.20 mg/L, respectively. Metagenomic analysis showed that the bacterial community at POMSE was highly diverse. Nine dominant and codominant species found are Allochromatium humboldtianum, Allochromatium phaeobacterium, Allochromatium sp., Allochromatium vinosum, Macromonas bipunctata, Tepidibaculum saccharolyticum, Rhodocyclus purpureus, Comamonas nitrativorans, and Fervidobacterium riparium. Several indigenous bacterial species found in this research were bacteria that have potential as bioremediation agents for palm oil wastewater.

Effect of dietary supplementation with algae extracts on growth performance and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens

ABSTRACT 1. The objective of this study was to test the dose response of dietary supplementation with algae extracts rich in marine-sulphated polysaccharides (MSP1 and MSP2) on the growing performance, body composition at slaughter and caecal microbiota of broiler chickens. 2. Male broiler Ross 308 chicks 1-d-old were distributed into eight groups, a control group (unsupplemented), four groups supplemented with increasing doses of algae extract MSP1 (40, 81, 121 and 162 g/ton feed) and three groups supplemented with increasing doses of algae extract MSP2 (40, 81 and 162 g/ton feed). Each group comprised six pens of 56 chickens. 3. All chickens were reared under challenging conditions, i.e. high rearing density of 42 kg/m2, fed growing and finishing diets containing, palm oil, rye and high levels of wheat and subjected to short daily fasting periods. The growth performance was recorded during rearing. At 10, 22 and 31 d of age, 12 chickens per group were euthanised to collect the caecal contents and determine microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acid levels. At d 35, the quality of litter and the condition of feathers, footpads and tarsals were scored. At d 36, 7 chickens per pen were slaughtered under commercial conditions to determine carcass composition and breast meat quality (ultimate pH and colour). 4. Algal extract MSP1 increased the weight of the caeca and butyrate concentration in the caeca at d 22 (p ≤ 0.05). It increased the ultimate pH of breast fillet measured after slaughter at d 36 (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, the group receiving 162 g/t MSP1 had a more diverse microbiota at d22. However, algal extract MSP2 had negligible effect on the different measured parameters.

Effect of Mix Ratio and Curing Water on the Strength of Oil Palm Shell Aggregate Concrete

Concrete is one oldest construction. The production of concrete consumes a large amount of natural resources. As a step in ensuring the availability of resources for future generations, it is necessary to adopt engineering practices which focus on the conversation of non-renewable resources and energy such as oil palm shell. The government has indicated a growing concern for protecting the environment and the need to preserve natural resources using alternative materials, such as recycled or waste materials. Malaysia is the one of the largest palm oil producers and exporter in the world. The palm oil industry has created an environmental pollution due to the production of huge quantities of waste from the oil extraction process such as oil palm shell.

Exploring the chemical properties and microstructural characterisations of hybrid asphalt binders for enhanced performance

Approximately 3 billion metric tonnes of garbage involving industrial and agricultural waste is expected to be generated by 2030, posing a significant environmental hazard. Notably, recycling or reusing asphalt modification components (palm oil fuel ash (POFA), garnet waste, and sawdust) in pavement construction encounter ongoing challenges. This study comprehensively assessed the chemical characteristics and microstructure analysis of individual wastes and various hybrid asphalt binder and mixtures incorporated with these components. The mixture consisted of asphalt grade 60/70 blended with varying amounts (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%) of POFA, garnet waste, and sawdust. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were also employed to examine the chemical compositions of the raw waste materials. Meanwhile, the microstructure properties of various hybrid asphalt binder mixtures were analysed utilising Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Consequently, this study presented that the correlation between the 6% POFA, 6% garnet waste, and 6% sawdust substantially impacted the chemical composition and morphology of the mixture. The findings of this study demonstrated that including POFA, garnet waste, and sawdust in a hybrid asphalt binder and mixture could enhance performance and engineering properties.