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Empty fruit bunches (EFBs) discarded from the palm oil industry were converted into hydrochars with a high surface area via hydrolytic agent-assisted hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The reaction temperature was varied (160, 200, 240, and 280°C) for a constant reaction time of 2 h. The effects of the type of hydrolytic agent (H2O2 and H2SO4) on the hydrochar properties were investigated. The physical and chemical properties of the as-obtained hydrochars, such as surface area, porosity, morphology, functional groups, and elemental composition, were characterized. The results showed that the fixed carbon and carbon contents increased with increasing temperature. At 280°C, the hydrochar produced via the H2SO4-assisted HTC process had the highest fixed carbon (38.35 wt.%) and carbon (72.65 wt.%) contents. In comparison, the hydrochar (O-EFB280h2) produced via the H2O2-assisted HTC process at 280° C exhibited the highest surface area (479.19 m² /g) and pore volume (0.727 cm³ /g), and it contained functional groups such as C-H, C=O, and C-O. The H2O2-assisted HTC process produced hydrochars with a high surface area that could be used in a variety of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) can be transformed into biogas. Acidogenesis, as a fermentation process, involves decomposition of hydrolysis products into simpler organic products in the form of acetate, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Intermediate products from acidogenesis form of volatile fatty acids (VFA), such as propionate, butyrate, valerate, and their isoforms, which require further metabolic processes to produce biogas. The aim of the research was to determine the suitable kinetics model that describes microbial growth (from volatile suspended solid (VSS) values) and production in the acidogenesis process. The reactor used in this acidogenesis process was a stirred tank reactor with a volume of 6 L and operates in a batch system. This research was conducted with a variable agitation rate variation (200; 250; and 300 rpm) at a temperature of 30 °C and 55 °C. The pH was varied, including 5; 5.5; and 6. The kinetic models used in this study were Modified Gompertz, Monod, and Logistic. The best effect of pH on VSS was obtained at pH 5.5, agitation rate on VSS was obtained at agitation rate of 250 rpm and operating conditions for acidogenesis process was achieved under thermophilic conditions (55 °C). Logistic kinetic model is the best kinetic model that can describe VSS and VFA in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Independent oil palm smallholders in Indonesia contributed significantly to the sustainable of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) supply chain. On the other hand, sustainability in the process of implementing the supply chain system for independent smallholders is an issue that is extremely important for the success of the supply chain system for the CPO company. This study's objective is to develop an alternative business model with the goal of strengthening the interaction that already exists between independent farmers and cooperatives in ensuring the existence of a supply chain for raw materials and having access to financial resources, knowledge, and technology. The selection of the research location considered several factors, including the size of the area's oil palm plantations, the number of oil palm farmers who are self-sufficient, and the possibility of locating CPO plant. Study findings that, the new model by business canvas analysis as the upgraded model of existing model business recommended that it should be built based on the cooperative palm oil family which provides farmers with access to financial, replanting, intensification, and extensification and infrastructure by APKASINDO, BPDPKS, Bank, and other stakeholders to sustain the FFB supply chain in cooperation through a partnership program in a long-term scheme. This whole system was developed by corporate farming system based on the cooperative as the off taker of FFB farmers and develop mini plant CPO to produce cooking oil and biofuels and by product as the waste management system as the value added for farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different types of catalysts – sulphuric acid titanium dioxide, and Amberlite – and to investigate the effect of catalyst loading (0.1 g, 0.5 g, 1.0 g) on the relative conversion to oxirane (RCO %). This study examines the influence of these different catalyst types and their loadings on the epoxidation of palm oil to identify the optimum conditions for the process. The epoxidised palm oil was analysed using RCO % and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that 0.5 g sulphuric acid as a catalyst with a loading of 0.5 g achieved the highest RCO % at 76.16 %. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of an epoxy group at 833.10 cm-1. In conclusion, using 0.5 g of sulphuric acid as the catalyst provides the optimum conditions for the epoxidation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, we attempt to remove 3‐monochloropropane‐1,2‐diol fatty acid ester (3‐MCPD ester) from palm oil with developed composite adsorbent (Tween80 modified activated carbon [AC]), and scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectrometer, Fourier transform‐infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, nitrogen content adsorption‐desorption and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the modifications. We further examined the adsorption capability of the composite adsorbent for 3‐MCPD ester and found that the highest removal efficiency was 87.36% (5.3% of adsorbent dose at 104°C for 29 min). This is approximately three times higher than that of pristine AC, implying that the composite can be employed as a novel adsorbent for 3‐MCPD ester reduction. Along with the adsorption mechanism of Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin models were also tested. It has been suggested that Freundlich model could best describe the adsorption process. Adsorption was found to be well‐fitted by pseudo‐second‐order kinetics according to the kinetic study. An endothermic and spontaneous adsorption mechanism was demonstrated by the thermodynamic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influences of CO2 incorporated in gas nanobubbles (NBs) on palm oil crystallisation and physical characteristics were investigated. Initially, CO2 NB-treated palm oil had a significantly (p ≤ 0.05) larger amount of dissolved CO2 (~ 1200–1700 ppm). The crystal morphology evaluation showed smaller size and higher number of palm oil crystals by the presence of CO2 NBs. Additionally, the attendance of NBs caused a slight increment in crystallising enthalpy magnitude and a significant reduction in final end-set melting temperatures (by 4.5–6 °C) of palm oil stored at 4 °C. There was also a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in melting enthalpies by 1.3–3.5 J/g and 6.5–9 J/g of the NB-treated samples under 48-h storage conditions at 23 °C and 4 °C, respectively. Furthermore, the CO2 NB-treated palm oil was characterised by both lighter colour and lower hardness. Research findings demonstrate that the introduction of food-grade gas NBs can be a sustainable and eco-friendly method to tailor thermal behaviour and physical properties of palm oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing focus on sustainable development, the exploration of renewable and environmentally friendly resources for product synthesis has become paramount. This study aims to investigate the production of dihydroxystearic acid through the in situ hydrolysis of epoxidized oleic acid. Epoxidation of oleic acid was achieved through the utilization of in situ generated performic acid, resulting in the production of epoxidized oleic acid. The synthesis of performic acid involved the combination of formic acid as an oxygen carrier and hydrogen peroxide as an oxygen donor. A maximum epoxide yield of 65% was attained at an optimum reaction time of 30 min. Hydrochloric acid was found to be the most efficient catalyst. A kinetics study was also done using the genetic algorithm to find the reaction rate of dihydroxystearic acid production. The difference between simulation and experimental results was less than 0.1%, which is insignificant. The findings highlight the potential of utilizing renewable resources for the synthesis of high-value compounds, promoting a greener and more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess how branched‐chain fatty acid triacylglycerols (BCFA‐TAG) at different concentrations (1–10 g/100 g) affect palm oil‐based blend PO‐PS (palm olein/palm stearin = 7/3, wt/wt) crystallization and other related performance. The addition of BCFA‐TAG significantly affected the crystallization of PO‐PS by accelerating the onset of PO‐PS crystallization through promoting the nucleation of PO‐PS crystals while delaying the growth of the crystals as a whole. The reduction in t1/2 provided good evidence of the delay, with the effect of high concentrations (10 g/100 g) being the most pronounced. Adding BCFA‐TAG to PO‐PS reduced its solid fat content (SFC), with a more significant effect at higher concentrations (5, 8, and 10 g/100 g). After 48 h of crystallization at 25°C, BCFA‐TAG induced a more compact and orderly crystalline network of PO‐PS with an increase in space‐filling, resulting in an increase in hardness. The crystal density of the higher concentration samples (PO‐PS + 10% BCFA‐TAG) decreased over storage time, suggesting a crystal dilution effect of high concentrations of BCFA‐TAG. The PO‐PS + 10% BCFA‐TAG sample maintained the β′ crystalline form throughout the 30 days of storage without conversion to the β crystalline form, thus showing a positive effect of BCFA‐TAG in alleviating the post‐hardness of the palm oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With recent trends moving towards sustainable approaches in adherence to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, research is actively focused on sustainable production of high-potential materials. In this study, a successful synthesis pathway was demonstrated for a graphene/tungsten carbide (WC) nanocomposite via pulsed arc discharge in liquid medium, utilizing crude palm oil and commercial cooking palm oil as liquid precursors. The synthesis of the graphene/WC nanocomposites was carried out by applying current with amplitude of 80 A and 100 A to the tungsten electrode immersed in the liquid palm oil, subjected to 150 arc discharges. A comparative investigation was performed to examine the morphological and functional characteristics of the materials synthesized from the different types of palm oil under different current conditions. In addition, the synthesized nanocomposites were assessed with respect to their gas sensing performance. Impressively, the CRG100(150) nanocomposite (produced from crude palm oil with current of 100 A) exhibited gas sensing response of 4.853% upon injection of 200 ppm of ethanol. The CRG100(150) nanocomposite also demonstrated short response and recovery time of 43 s and 182 s, respectively. Thus, the successful synthesis of CRG100(150), utilizing a natural precursor via arc discharge in liquid, paves the way for the development of sustainable gas sensing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effect of hydrogel/oleogel (HOs) produced in five different oil mediums (pistachios, wheat, fig seeds, flaxseed, and pumpkin seeds oils) without varying the gum and oleogelator ratios on the quality of chocolate spread (CS). The spreads were made by replacing 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the palm oil with HOs, and then comparing the fatty acid profiles, as well as textural and sensory properties. The spreadability value was higher CS with pumpkin seed oil HO (910.89 ± 28.04 g.s) than in CS with palm oil (9400.985 ± 35.94 g.s). The increase in the spreadability of CS and the decrease in hardness are statistically significant as the rate of HO substitution for palm oil increases. The results demonstrated that monounsaturated fatty acid reformulated spreads were higher in CS with pistachio oil (79.26%) than in CS with palm oil (37.98%). Sensory evaluation showed that the chocolate spread, with palm oil replaced by 75% and 100% pistachio oil-based HO, presented sensory properties of "spreadability", "appearance" and "taste" that were highly scored by the panelists compared to the control spread. Therefore, these HOs can be used to produce reduced-fat palm oil CS with healthier lipid profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leaf blight is one of the main diseases in oil palm nurseries, as a result of the attack of the pathogen Colletotrichum sp. The initial symptoms are found on the edges of the leaves. Colletotrichum sp. is a pathogenic fungus that causes blight in oil palm, so it needs to be controlled. One of the alternative controls is by using rambutan wood liquid smoke. This study aims to obtain an effective concentration of rambutan wood liquid smoke that can inhibit the growth of Colletotrichum sp. in vitro. This research was carried out from November 2023 to January 2024 at the Laboratory of Pathology, Entomology, Microbiology and Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Sultan Syarif Kasim State Islamic University, Riau. This study used an experimental method with a complete randomized design (RAL) with 6 treatments (0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) with each treatment repeated 4 times, so that there were 24 experimental units. Observation parameters include total phenol analysis and PH test of liquid smoke, macroscopic, growth rate (cm/day) and inhibition (%) Colletotrichum sp. The results showed a total phenol content of 3.47% and a PH test. Rambutan wood liquid smoke with a concentration of 4% is very effective in inhibiting Colletotrichum sp. 100% inhibition and growth rate of 0 cm/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates into the adverse impacts of heavy metal concentration on human health, particularly when present in water used in palm oil production in selected industries in Ondo State, Nigeria. Through wet-digestive analysis, the levels of heavy metals including Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), and Cadmium (Cd) were assessed in both water samples and palm oil products. The results revealed concentrations of heavy metals in water samples and control ranging from Copper (0.167 - 0.297 and 0.143 mg/L), Lead (0.047 - 0.100 mg/L), Manganese (0.250 - 0.327 mg/L), and Zinc (0.0417 - 0.547 mg/L), while palm oil concentrations ranged from Cu (0.327 - 0.100 mg/L), Ni (0.045 - 0.010 mg/L), Pb (0.207 - 0.100 mg/L), Mn (0.390 - 0.183 mg/L), and Zn (0.697 - 0.453 mg/L). Comparison with World Health Organization (WHO) standards indicated that Pb concentrations in water exceeded permissible limits, suggesting potential contamination in palm oil samples. Additionally, a significant positive correlation (p<0.05) was observed between Pb levels in water and palm oil samples, indicating the transfer of lead contaminants into the palm oil during production. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and regulating heavy metal concentrations in water sources used in palm oil production to safeguard public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease (CHD), are currently positioned among the leading causes of mortality globally. Risk factors of CHD include, among others, hypercholesterolemia and elevations in systemic inflammation. Functional foods enriched with compounds showing cholesterol-lowering effects are considered one among various dietary and lifestyle intervention strategies to tackle this problem. A CHD-preventive effect of dietary plant sterols has been broadly discussed, not only due to their ability to reduce blood cholesterol level, but also to their proven anti-inflammatory potential. Palm oil is one of the most widely consumed edible oils in the world. Despite its widespread use, especially in Asian countries, no study has been conducted using palm oil as a vehicle for plant sterols. Methods: The aim of the placebo-controlled double-blinded trial presented here was, therefore, to evaluate the effect of palm oil enriched with plant sterols, used as a cooking oil, on lipid profile and systemic inflammation marker in 100 adult hyperlipidemic residents of Bogor, Indonesia. Results: The study has shown a significant reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol level in study subjects consuming plant sterol-enriched palm oil as a replacement for usual palm oil for cooking, with no similar effect on CRP levels. Conclusions: The study suggests that, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle promotion, incorporating plant sterols in palm oil used for cooking may be an effective strategy to reduce cardiovascular risks in hyperlipidemic individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sabah, Malaysia's biggest palm oil‐producing state, has made Roundtable Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification mandatory under Sabah's Jurisdictional Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (JCSPO) initiative. Few studies have examined the independent native smallholders' challenges in adopting the JCSPO initiative. To address this knowledge gap, we engaged with oil palm smallholders via various qualitative methodological approaches over a 14 month period. We identified a range of challenges currently faced by the smallholder; these include RSPO compliance, land tenure issue, low financial and knowledge capacities, increasing food insecurity, and unstable market price of certified crude palm oil. In our article, we argue that the statewide certification policy is consolidating the inequalities in resource access and capacity for growth amongst smallholder groups in different districts. Fair resource allocation to different geographical areas is needed to provide new empowerment mechanisms and remedies for marginalized groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different types of catalysts – sulphuric acid titanium dioxide, and Amberlite – and to investigate the effect of catalyst loading (0.1 g, 0.5 g, 1.0 g) on the relative conversion to oxirane (RCO %). This study examines the influence of these different catalyst types and their loadings on the epoxidation of palm oil to identify the optimum conditions for the process. The epoxidised palm oil was analysed using RCO % and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that 0.5 g sulphuric acid as a catalyst with a loading of 0.5 g achieved the highest RCO % at 76.16 %. FTIR spectra revealed the presence of an epoxy group at 833.10 cm–1. In conclusion, using 0.5 g of sulphuric acid as the catalyst provides the optimum conditions for the epoxidation process.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Riau is Indonesia's largest palm oil supplier region, part of which is managed by smallholder farmers. The escalation in the worldwide need for palm oil has resulted in the expansion of plantations, consequently causing a rise in palm oil waste. Small-scale farmers lack sufficient knowledge and resources for waste management. The study seeks to estimate and forecast the volume of palm oil waste generated and the utilization inventory by indigenous populations in Riau province.METHODS: The present study employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Utilizing secondary data obtained from the Central Statistics Agency, the research calculates the volume of waste generated by smallholder oil palm plantations and forecasts the quantity of palm oil waste. The prediction method uses the time series modeler method with the help of a statistical package for the social sciences 23. Subsequently, surveys were employed to gather quantitative information regarding the utilization of palm oil waste by indigenous populations in the province of Riau. The respondents involved were 112 people using the convenience sampling method. Descriptive statistics are utilized in data analysis to determine the quantity of waste and to gain insight into the local population's utilization. Interviews were also conducted with seven local people who work as farmers regarding the management and use of palm oil waste. Interview data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods.FINDINGS: Analysis of smallholder plantation waste in Riau shows that the most significant type is stem parts at 82 percent. Palm oil waste will increase to 236.37 million tons in the next decade. Approximately 80 percent of local communities handle plantation waste by depositing it on plantations for natural decomposition.CONCLUSION: The amount of smallholder plantation waste is enormous and will continue to increase. It is crucial to prioritize the improvement of waste management standards at the local community level in order to promote the sustainability of palm oil plantations. The findings significantly contribute to promoting sustainable environmental management, providing actionable insights for policymakers and environmental activists.

Abstract To enhance the benefits derived from palm oil processing by the farmers, there is a need for the producers (farmers) and buyers of palm oil to understand the seasonal price for making informed decisions on when to buy and sell the commodity. In order to determine price at the appropriate time of the season, the study looked at the seasonal price variation analysis of palm oil and the relationship between producers and buyers. This was done by understanding buyers’ requirements, producers’ effort, measurements taken, and contracting with buyers’ credit from customers. A multiphase sampling strategy was used. Organized interviews and questionnaires were utilized to collect primary data, while the National Bureau of Statistics provided secondary time series data on the average monthly retail price of palm oil from 2016 to 2022. The need for bio-fuel, production growth, governmental regulations, market dynamics, and the seasonality of palm oil products are then identified by the study as important factors influencing palm oil price fluctuation throughout the year. The study then suggests that there’s a need for economic diversification to reduce reliance on a single sector. This study will serve as a basis for future research on palm oil price variation analysis.

Abstract Background Tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils are renowned for their high saturated fat content and culinary versatility. However, their consumption has sparked debate regarding their health benefits and production concerns. The purpose of this review was to map existing evidence on the health benefits and challenges associated with the consumption of tropical oils. Method The recommendations for conducting a scoping review by Arksey and O’Malley were followed. PubMed, Dimensions AI, Central, JSTOR Google, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases were searched for relevant papers. The predetermined keywords used were Consumption” AND “Tropical oil,” as well as “Health benefits” OR “Health challenges” AND “Tropical Countries.” Peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English were eligible for this review. Result Tropical oils, such as palm and coconut oils, provide health benefits including essential vitamins (A and E) that enhance ocular health, boost immunity, and support growth. They are also recognised for their role in managing high blood sugar, obesity, and cholesterol levels, while offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils have wound-healing abilities and are commonly used in infant nutrition and traditional cooking. Nevertheless, prolonged and repeated use of tropical oils to high temperature can degrade vitamin E, whereas excessive intake may result in overdose. Health concerns include oxidative risks, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and acrylamide formation due to production challenges excessive consumption. Additional issues include obesity, suboptimal oil production, misconceptions, regulatory obstacles, and preferences for alternative fats. Conclusion This review suggest that tropical oils provide essential health benefits, including vitamins and antioxidant properties, but pose significant health risks and production challenges, particularly when exposed to high temperatures and through excessive intake. Guidelines on the consumption of tropical oils in the tropical regions are necessary to regulate their consumption.

With the increasing demand for fuel for global usage and CO2 emissions, greener alternatives are needed, especially in biojet fuel production. Catalyst preparation involves the impregnation of Ni and Mo metals into H-ZSM-5 using a dry impregnation method with spray deposition, resulting in Ni/ZSM-5 and Mo/ZSM-5 catalysts. Catalyst characterization utilizes FT-IR, XRD, SAA, SEM-EDX, XRF, and NH3-TPD instruments. The activity and selectivity tests of the catalysts were conducted in the hydrotreating of palm oil using Ni/ZSM-5 monolayer, Ni/ZSM-5 bilayer, Mo/ZSM-5 monolayer, Mo/ZSM-5 bilayer, as well as Ni/ZSM-5 bottom-layer and Mo/ZSM-5 top-layer arrangements. The result showed double-layer Ni/ZSM-5 as the best catalyst in activity and selectivity in producing biojet fuel fractions with consecutive conversion, selectivity, and yield of 29.71%, 84.76%, and 24.34%, respectively. The layers of catalyst affected the catalytic activity and selectivity, resulting in a higher yield.

Crude palm oil (CPO) is the most produced vegetable oil globally, with Brazil contributing only 0.74% of global production. Pará and Bahia account for more than 82% of Brazil's output. Despite its widespread use in the food industry after refining, there is little research on CPO consumption and perception in Brazil, particularly regarding its nutritional aspects. This study, conducted between March and July 2022, explored Brazilians' perceptions and the potential for CPO consumption. The results show that most participants are unfamiliar with CPO but view its nutrients favorably. Less than half regularly purchase CPO. Refined palm oil (RPO) is even less known, with many unaware that refining CPO can produce carcinogenic substances. The respondents showed little concern about RPO in their foods, rarely noticing its presence on labels. Despite limited knowledge, participants understand that refining reduces CPO's health benefits, leading to a greater preference for crude oil over refined oil. This study highlights the need for better dissemination of information about CPO in Brazil, emphasizing its nutritional benefits and the importance of adhering to daily lipid intake limits. Adding CPO at the end of cooking or consuming it raw to preserve thermosensitive compounds is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils are renowned for their high saturated fat content and culinary versatility. However, their consumption has sparked debate regarding their health benefits and production concerns. The purpose of this review was to map existing evidence on the health benefits and challenges associated with the consumption of tropical oils. Method: The recommendations for conducting a scoping review by Arksey and O'Malley were followed. PubMed, Dimensions AI, Central, JSTOR Google, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases were searched for relevant papers. The predetermined keywords used were Consumption" AND "Tropical oil," as well as "Health benefits" OR "Health challenges" AND "Tropical Countries." Peer-reviewed and grey literature published in English were eligible for this review. Result: Tropical oils, such as palm and coconut oils, provide health benefits including essential vitamins (A and E) that enhance ocular health, boost immunity, and support growth. They are also recognised for their role in managing high blood sugar, obesity, and cholesterol levels, while offering antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils have wound-healing abilities and are commonly used in infant nutrition and traditional cooking. Nevertheless, prolonged and repeated use of tropical oils to high temperature can degrade vitamin E, whereas excessive intake may result in overdose. Health concerns include oxidative risks, diabetes, cancer, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and acrylamide formation due to production challenges excessive consumption. Additional issues include obesity, suboptimal oil production, misconceptions, regulatory obstacles, and preferences for alternative fats. Conclusion: This review suggest that tropical oils provide essential health benefits, including vitamins and antioxidant properties, but pose significant health risks and production challenges, particularly when exposed to high temperatures and through excessive intake. Guidelines on the consumption of tropical oils in the tropical regions are necessary to regulate their consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to enhancement the oxidative stability of soybean and sunflower oil by blending them with palm oil to form binary blends. The physical and chemical properties, refractive index, free fatty acids, peroxide value, iodine value, saponification value and fatty acid composition of palm oil and its blends with soybean and sunflower oils were determined to evaluate oils and their blends. Results revealed that palm oil was the best oil compared to sunflower oil and soybean oil, as well as blending of palm oil with sunflower oil and soybean oil to form binary blends led to the enhancement of oxidative stability of sunflower and soybean oil. The best binary blend was the blend which consists of 50% palm oil: 50% soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease which has affected approximately 10,5% of the global population (1).The most common forms of diabetes are: type I diabetes, insulin dependent, or youth type, and type II diabetes, or non-insulin dependant, also adulthood diabetes.Fructose effect on carbohydrate, adiponectin, insulin and other metabolic parameters metabolism. The role of interleukin 6 (IL-6) in mechanism of insulin resistency and diabetes and the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF- α) in mechanisms of obesity, insulin resistance and pre-diabetes.128 Adult rats (3 months of age), Wistar species of both genders, weighting 160-180g and 65 white young rats (10-25 days) weighting 45-60g were taken for purposes of this study. The number of experimental animals in individual groups is between 5-8 while the details are added in the results section. The application of palm oil was conducted through special probe using oral administration straight into gastro-intestinal system. Figure 1 shows the differences of TNF-α after palm oil administration. There are statistically significant raised levels of this cytokines in blood of both young and adult rats compared to control cases. In Figure 2 it is emphasized the effect of palm oil (30 and 60 days) in IL-6 blood levels of young and adult male rats. Figure 3 shows the impact of palm oil, applied 30 and 60 days respectively against GTT of adult rats of male gender. The results of GTT studies on young rats are shown in Figure 4. They show the differences in GTT, which are statistically significant in day 60 compared to 30 days of palm oil treatment. Elongated administration 60 days of palm oil in experimental rats of adult and young rats, raise the blood levels of TNF-α and IL-6, thus changing metabolism of carbohydrates with data supporting pre-diabetic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driven by the urgent need to address climate change, Indonesia, as the world's largest palm oil producer, faces the challenge of ensuring the sustainability of this industry. This study addresses a critical gap in knowledge by examining the technological advancements in methane capture for bioenergy from palm oil mill effluent (POME), exploring business development applications, and assessing the potential role of methane capture in advancing Indonesia's Enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets. Employing both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the study reveals three key findings. Firstly, a systematic literature review highlights a dearth of research on the social and economic aspects of utilizing biomethane gas, particularly in modeling contexts. Secondly, through case studies, the utilization of methane gas as an energy source is shown to significantly reduce electricity expenditures, diminish reliance on fossil fuels, mitigate carbon emissions, and expand access to clean energy for both companies and households. Thirdly, the scenario of converting POME waste into energy can help to reach the target on carbon emissions, but it depends on the level of waste utilization and capacity factor. By repurposing palm oil industry waste for clean energy production instead of expanding land use, which poses risks to biodiversity, Indonesia can mitigate the challenges of the energy transition and foster a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Favism is a metabolic disease and this study evaluates the effectiveness of palm oil and its triacylglycerol constituent in favism-induced female rats to restore serum female hormones, ovarian antioxidants, inflammatory markers, and DNA fragmentation. Animals were 36 female albino rats. They classified to two equal (normal and favism) groups. The normal group was divided into three equal subgroups: the control, palm oil, and triacylglycerol subgroups. The normal rats were given 1 mL of saline, 1 mL of palm oil, and 1 mL of triacylglycerol orally, respectively. The Favism group was classified also into three equal subgroups: the favism group, the favism + palm oil, the Favism + triacylglycerol. The favism rats were given 1 mL of saline, 1 mL of palm oil, and 1 mL of triacylglycerol orally. For four weeks, all treatments were administered orally via oral gavage once daily. The hemoglobin, hematocrite, the blood cells, glucose and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and liver function were decreased in favism. Female hormones such as serum luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, Estrone, Estriol, 17α-Estradiol, 17β-Estradiol, and Estradiol-17-β-stearate were decreased in favism. Ovarian antioxidants were decreased while ovarian inflammatory markers were increased in favism. Favism induced ovarian DNA apoptosis. Furthermore, oral administration with palm oil or its triacylglycerol constituent in favism-induced female rats restored all these parameters to be approached the control levels. Palm oil restored serum female hormones, ovarian antioxidants, inflammatory markers, and DNA fragmentation in favism-induced female rats and this effect related to oil triacylglycerol constituent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to the oil boom, Agriculture accounted for over 60% of Nigeria's GDP. However, the oil boom of the 1970s brought about declining interest in agriculture by the Nigerian Government. This impact is particularly noticeable in the palm oil sub sector where Nigeria, which was the largest producer of palm oil in the world in the 1960s, accounting for 43%, today accounts for just 2% of global output and has become a major importer of palm oil. In recent years, the Nigerian government has sought to wean itself of its over reliance on oil by encouraging diversification of the economy. This article aims to draw the reader's attention to the great prospects available in the agricultural sector, particularly in palm oil production. This article explores the Isenberg model and opportunities for success, barriers of entrepreneurship in Nigeria, entrepreneurial characteristics, and local entrepreneurial role models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upscaling Voluntary Sustainability Standards (VSS) can generate ecological and social benefits at a scale that is meaningful to address pressing environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity losses. Lack of resources and risks of implementation gaps may, however, hinder the success of upscaling VSS. This paper aims to fill the gap in the literature regarding options to reduce certification costs to upscale VSS amid the limited financial resources available for certification. The paper presents the result of action research involving 3,507 independent oil palm farmers who are members of six farmer groups in two districts in Central Kalimantan to achieve Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certification. The research found that achieving economies of scale by increasing the total number of certified farmers can reduce the certification costs per farmer. By establishing a district-level entity, the costs related to audits, RSPO membership fees, and the establishment of farmer groups, such as developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), can be lowered. Implementation gaps were not found with the increase of farmers joining the project based on the training frequency and the external audit findings reports on farmers' compliance with RSPO principles and criteria. The findings of this study provide a basis for promoting the upscaling of VSS, including through the RSPO jurisdictional approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agroindustrial Technology / Jurnal Teknologi Industri Pertanian is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Agroindustrial Technology / Jurnal Teknologi Industri Pertanian is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) still contains a significant quantity of organic substances that can potentially serve as raw materials for biohydrogen production. This research explores the influence of initial substrate pH and light intensity on the conversion of POME into biohydrogen through photo-fermentation. The study begins by analyzing certain characteristics of POME that may have an impact and identifying indigenous bacteria present in the substrate. The initial substrate pH (neutralized and unaltered) and light intensity (7000 lux and 9500 lux) are tested in combination. A modified Gompertz equation is used to analyze the kinetics of biohydrogen production. The substrate pH neutralization and 9500 lux light intensity resulted in the highest yields and production rates, with values of 516.18 mL-H2/L-POME, 7.17 mL-H2/L-POME/hour, and 2.14% Light Conversion Efficiency (LCE). Changes in ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential) values during the treatments indicated an inverse relationship with biohydrogen production. Simulation results and data fitting using the modified Gompertz model yielded excellent coefficients of determination for all treatment data, exceeding 0.99. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOC), particularly benzene and derivatives, in edible oils and the effects of heating duration on the behavior of these compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography. The study measures the concentrations of benzene and substituted benzenes in fresh mustard, cottonseed, rice bran and palm oils upon heating. It explores VOC emissions during deep frying with edible oils and its potential health risks.

A semi‐preparative liquid chromatographic system (LC‐Prep) has been used to isolate and collect the main oxidation products generated from β‐sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol, which represent the main sterols detected in vegetable oils. In less than 50 min, 15 different phytosterol oxidation products (POPs) were separated with a satisfactory resolution (R >1) and collected. From each pure phytosterol standard the 5,6α‐epoxy (α‐E), 5,6β‐epoxy (β‐E), 7‐keto (7‐K), 7α‐hydroxy (7α‐H), and 7β‐hydroxy (7β‐H) isomers were obtained. The purity of POPs was >90%. Then, the obtained pure POPs were used to validate an HPLC‐Orbitrap‐HRMS analytical method. The LOD and LOQ determined in medium chain triacylglycerols were >0.012 and >0.039 ng/mL, respectively; whereas the recoveries ranged between 82% and 98%. The suitability of the analytical method was evaluated on palm oil (PO), palm olein (POL), and high oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) during the whole refining processing (crude oil, neutralization and degumming, bleaching and deodorization) and under storage conditions (45°C, 16 days). In the refining steps, the total POPs content significantly increased (p < 0.05) by 29%, 20%, and 13% in PO, POL, and HOSO, respectively. The highest amount was found in HOSO (15.046 mg/kg), followed by POL (1.067 mg/kg) and PO (0.538 mg/kg). Under storage conditions, the content of POPs did not significantly (p > 0.05) change and was lower than 8.965 mg/kg. The developed semi‐preparative liquid chromatographic system coupled to the LC‐Orbitrap‐HRMS method demonstrated to be a useful and valid tool for a robust, precise, accurate, and sensitive determination of POPs in refined and stored vegetable oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Biodegradable polymers are gaining a reputation as demand is increasing globally. Amongst these Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are attracting market attention as a consequence of their properties similar to those of conventional plastics. PHA is a natural polyester that is stored as an intracellular carbon (C) energy reserve of bacteria. This biopolymer can be extracted and used in place of petrochemical plastic. Medium chain‐length (mcl) PHA, specifically poly hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyhexanoate P (HB‐co‐HHx) copolymer produced by Bacillus, has gained practical attention owing to its superior physicochemical properties compared to the commonly synthesized PHB homopolymer. Co‐polymer production is dependent on C sources provided in the growth medium. In the present study we have employed palm oil and palm oil effluent as C source. RESULTS: In the current study, it was observed that a significant amount of PHA and biomass was produced when the effluent was prepared at a concentration of 100% instead of water for preparing the growth medium. The production of biomass and PHA showed a range of 4.8–8and 1.5–4 g L−1, respectively. This means that the PHA yield obtained using the effluent was 50–80% of the control, whereas the control yielded only 40–50%. CONCLUSION: Palm industry waste can be used as a substrate in bioprocessing industries. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of PHA obtained herein indicates that it consists of the mcl polymer P (HB‐co‐HHx). © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Alauddin Law Development Journal is the property of Alauddin Law Development Journal (ALDEV) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recently, many studies have been published in the field of using different biodiesels in diesel engines. However, the use of these fuels has not been used for different case studies. Moreover, scholars have not paid attention to factors like the price of utilized biodiesels and their costs, considerably. In the present paper, we are concerned with the use of palm oil as a cheap and abundant biodiesel in two different light and heavy diesel engines, and its environmental blueprint was also investigated for Helsinki. A CFD code was taken into consideration to estimate the amount of NO and PM emissions from different diesel engines. Although many different diesel engines can be utilized in a city, however, this research showed how an engine fueled by palm-based biodiesel can be balanced to satisfy the requirements related to the limitation of emissions for Helsinki, annually. It was found that, for this region, the 30% palm oil/diesel mixed fuel led to an insignificant increase in NOx emissions by 0.2% for the light-duty engine and a decrease of 0.7% for the heavy-duty engine whereas a significant decrease in PM emissions by 24 and 11.5% for light-duty diesel engine and heavy-duty diesel engine, respectively. The results of the presented paper demonstrated that there is a narrow border between the fuel waste amount and the exhaust NOx, highlighting the need for obtaining a balanced state between them for different cities based on their sources and their pollution status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: During the transition period, defined in dairy cows and ewes as the three-week period before and three-week weeks after parturition, animals are more susceptible to metabolic disease. Negative energy balance in pregnant ewes during last of gestation could result in fatal pregnancy toxemia and affects ewe and lamb health (Reynolds et al. 2006). Fat supplementation of the diet is an efficient mean to increase energy concentration of diet and modify body weight, body condition score, milk yield, fat content and fatty acid composition in lactating ruminants (Chilliard et al. 2003). The number of studies on sheep milk as responded to added fat is rather limited compared to studies on cows and goats. Supplementing fat in dairy rations to increase energy density has been extensively evaluated in numerous studies over the last a few decades. However, it was evident that production responses to the supplemental fat varied considerably. Many factors might contribute to the various responses, with one of them being the different fat sources (Reynolds et al. 2006, Hervas et al. 2008). Rumen protected fat production is mainly in order to deal with negative effect of fat on fiber digestion, prohibiting biohydrogenation and increasing long chained fatty acids to small intestine. This method was provided some years ago and the major advantage of it is the neutral fatty calcium soap consumed in rumen and improves the level of essential fatty acids (Hess et al. 2008). In some studies, supplementing dairy ewes with a ruminally protected source of trans-10, cis-12 CLA has been associated with increases in milk and milk protein yields (Lock et al. 2006; Husveth et al. 2010; Sinclair et al. 2010). Much of the research attempted to obtain milk fat with healthier properties by increasing milk concentration of specific human health promoting fatty acids. Although mechanisms of action are unclear and its use in humans is controversial, CLA is still of particular interest because of its speculated role in preventing human health problems and increasing the nutritive and therapeutic value of milk (Sinclair et al. 2010). So, this study has also tried to investigate effects of different fat sources and CLA during late-pregnancy and early lactation on performance of Afshari ewes. Material and methods: Fifty Afshari ewes were assigned randomly to one of the five experimental diets with ten replicates in a completely randomized design. Treatments include: 1- control (without fat supplement), 2- 3% Protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (palm oil), 3- 3% Ca salt of omega-6 fatty acids (soybean oil), 4- 3% Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), 5- 2% Protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids (palm oil) and 1% CLA. Animals were in experiment 14 days before to 45 days after the parturition and keep individually. Ewes were fed ad libitum and had free access to fresh water. Daily dry matter intake (DMI) recorded and ewes were weighed and BCS was measured weekly. Milk yield were measured weekly. Blood samples were taken from the ewes on d -14, 1 (lambing) and 14. Results and discussion: There was no difference on ewe Initial weight, body weight changes in lambing, body weight after lambing, body weight 35 days post lambing and body weight changes during 35 days post lambing between ewes supplemented with different fat sources. There were no differences between diets for body condition score and body condition score changes. DMI before parturition significantly decreased by feeding Ca salt of different fat sources (P<0.01), but DMI after parturition increase in ewes fed Ca salt of fatty acids (P<0.01). Supplementation with Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and CLA increased milk yield (P<0.01). Protected fat powder of saturated fatty acids increased fat content of milk (P<0.05), but unsaturated fatty acids not affected milk fat concentration. Other composition of the milk and colostrum were not affected by the treatments. One week before lambing, plasma concentration of cholesterol was greater for Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) ewes as compared with the control ewes (P<0.05). Plasma concentrations of glucose, protein, albumin and globulin not affected by treatments. Plasma concentration of cholesterol, 24 h after lambing, increased in Ca salt of omega-6 fatty acids diet and decreased in Ca salt of omega-3 fatty acids diet (P<0.05). The concentrations of cholesterol, glucose, protein, albumin, and globulin in blood plasma were not affected by feeding different fat sources during the two weeks after lambing. Conclusion: Supplementing Ca salts of fatty acids to the peripartum diets increased DMI after parturition and Ca salts of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) and CLA increased milk yield and improved Afshari ewes performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of environmental sustainability is of utmost importance for the forests and plantations in Borneo, given the critical need for environmental protection through the identification and mitigation of potential risks. This study was conducted to assess the environmental sustainability of tropical forest and plantations landscape, a case study in northern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Applications of the latest high-resolution multi-sensor remote sensing and geospatial MCDA are cost-effective and useful for large-scale environmental sustainability assessment. The land use land cover (LULC) of the study area was mapped with synergistic use of Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Sentinel-2 optical and high-resolution PlanetScope satellite imageries, resulting in overall accuracy of 87.24%. Five sustainability indicator layers: slope erosion protection, river buffer, landscape connectivity and quality, high conservation value (HCV), and water turbidity were developed from the LULC map, ancillary datasets of SRTM, and forest operation basemap with reference to standards from the Environment Protection Department (EPD), Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and Forest Management Plan (FMP) for the analysis using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) model. The results revealed that overall, the study areas are in the high sustainability category at 61%, medium at 31%, and low at only 8%. We analyzed the environmental sustainability of five land use boundaries, and the results showed that Industrial Tree Plantations (ITP) and Village Reserve are mostly in the high category. Meanwhile, oil palm plantations, rubber plantations, and forest reserve (FR) are the majority in the medium category. Both oil palm and rubber plantations are a majority in the medium class due to monocropping land use type having low landscape connectivity and quality individual sustainability indicator layer. The study presented the concept of use of multi-sensor remote sensing for LULC mapping with geospatial MCDA for environmental sustainability assessment useful to stakeholders for improving the management plan also contributing toward the progress of achieving UNSDGs and addressing REDD+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia has experienced rapid primary forest loss, second only to Brazil in modern history. We examined the fates of Indonesian deforested areas, immediately after clearing and over time, to quantify deforestation drivers in Indonesia. Using time-series satellite data, we tracked degradation and clearing events in intact and degraded natural forests from 1991 to 2020, as well as land use trajectories after forest loss. While an estimated 7.8 Mha (SE = 0.4) of forest cleared during this period had been planted with oil palms by 2020, another 8.8 Mha (SE = 0.4) remained unused. Of the 28.4 Mha (SE = 0.7) deforested, over half were either initially left idle or experienced crop failure before a land use could be detected, and 44% remained unused for 5 y or more. A majority (54%) of these areas were cleared mechanically (not by escaped fires), and in cases where idle lands were eventually converted to productive uses, oil palm plantations were by far the most common outcome. The apparent deliberate creation of idle deforested land in Indonesia and subsequent conversion of idle areas to oil palm plantations indicates that speculation and land banking for palm oil substantially contribute to forest loss, although failed plantations could also contribute to this dynamic. We also found that in Sumatra, few lowland forests remained, suggesting that a lack of remaining forest appropriate for palm oil production, together with an extensive area of banked deforested land, may partially explain slowing forest loss in Indonesia in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the predominant oil crop in the world. In addition to triacylglycerols, crude palm oil (CPO) extracted from the mesocarp of the fruits, contains high amounts of provitamin A (carotenes) and vitamin E (tocochromanols). Because of their unsaturated nature, the carotenes are prone to oxidation and therefore are in part limiting for the shelf life of CPO. Results: In the present study, a wild Oil Palm tree (C59) from Cameroon was identified that lacks α-tocopherol and α-tocotrienol and instead accumulates the respective γ forms, suggesting that the activity of γ-tocopherol methyltransferase (VTE4) was affected. Sequencing of the VTE4 locus in the genome of plant C59 identified a G/C polymorphism that causes the exchange of a highly conserved tryptophan at position 290 with serine. The W290S exchange renders the VTE4 enzyme inactive, as shown after expression in Escherichia coli and Arabidopsis thaliana. The oxidative stability of carotenes in the mesocarp of the wild palm C59 was enhanced compared with control accessions. Furthermore, supplementation of commercial palm oil with different tocochromanols showed that γ-tocotrienol exerts a stronger effect during the protection of carotenes against oxidation than α-tocotrienol. Methods: A tree with unusual toochromanol composition was identified by HPLC screening of the mesocarp of wild trees. Polymorphisms in a candidate gene were identified by DNA sequencing. The candidate protein was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli coli and Arabidopsis thaliana to test for enzyme activity. Oxidative stability of the CPO was studied by following carotene degradation over time. Discussion: Therefore, the introduction of the high γ-tocotrienol trait into elite breeding lines represents a potent strategy to protect carotenes against oxidation and extend the shelf life of CPO, hence allowing the development of a value added high-carotene CPO to be used to fight against vitamin A deficiency [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on optimizing the synthesis of ZnO/Kaolin nanoparticles and their application in adsorptive bleaching of palm oil. The reaction mechanism involves the dissolution of metal oxides (Fe2O3, Al2O3, CaO, MgO) from clay lattices using mineral acids, increasing the surface area and triggering ion exchange processes. The kaolin is beneficiated through crushing, washing, acid treatment, and drying, and then activated with ZnCl2. Zinc oxide nanoparticles are synthesized using Moringa leaf extract and zinc acetate, followed by the synthesis of ZnO/Kaolin composites using Central Composite Design (CCD) to optimize parameters like kaolin ratio, calcination temperature, and time. The composites are characterized by XRD, XRF, and BET surface area analysis. The bleaching efficiency is evaluated through absorbance and iodine value, with ANOVA analysis confirming the significance of dosage, temperature, and time. The optimized conditions identified are essential for maximizing the composite’s adsorptive efficiency in palm oil bleaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article sheds light on male identities in interwar Belgian Congo by using the colony's largest palm oil concession as a case study. Based on colonial archives and oral testimonies, it shows how vernacular and colonial understandings of masculinity interplayed and keep on influencing ways to 'be a man' in the present. This article is divided into four parts. First, it highlights how vigorous male bodies supposedly constituted entry points in the colonial 'civilizing mission'. Second, it addresses the convergences between coming‐of‐age rituals and of palm oil labour as markers of adulthood. Third, it nuances the association of dominant masculinity with brute force by showing how the 'strongest' palm oil workers were suspected to use witchcraft. Fourth, it addresses the apparent contradiction between recollection of colonial labour as an experience of hardships and paternalist 'pampering'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, rejuvenators are used to supply missing components of aged asphalt, reverse the aging process, and are widely used in asphalt maintenance and recycling. However, compared with traditional rejuvenators, bio-oil rejuvenators are environmentally friendly, economical and efficient. This study looks into the effect of the three different bio-oils, namely sunflower oil, soybean oil, and palm oil, on the physical properties, rheological properties and chemical components of aged asphalt at different dosages. The asphalt physical properties and Dynamic Shear Rheological (DSR) test results show that with the increase in bio-oil, the physical properties and rheological properties of rejuvenated asphalt are close to those of virgin asphalt, but the high-temperature rutting resistance needs to be further improved. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) show that the carbonyl and sulfoxide indices of rejuvenated asphalt are much lower than those of aged asphalt. Moreover, the rejuvenation efficiency of aged asphalt mixed with sunflower oil is better than that with soybean oil and palm oil at the same dosage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalized monomer with specific chain length leads to different behaviors of UV-curable polymers. Due to the high demand for high-performance bio-based coating, this research was conducted to understand the effect of fluoroacrylate monomer (FAM) additions on physicochemical properties of palm oil-based polyurethane (POPU) coating. POPU oligomer was synthesized through a series of steps which was acrylation and isocyanation to form acrylated epoxidized palm oil (AEPO) and POPU oligomer, respectively. The POPU oligomer was further added with trimethylolpropane triacrylate and 1,6 hexamethyl diacrylate monomers at 60/30/10 wt% compositions respectively to form 100 wt% resin and followed by the addition of FAM at different concentrations (2–12 parts per hundred resin, phr). The sample was cast on a silicone mold at 1 mm thickness and cured under UV radiation for 60 s. The chemical structure elucidation was successfully done by NMR on AEPO and POPU. In 1H NMR analysis, C = C group was detected at 2.0–3.0 ppm and OH peak at 3.687 ppm. For POPU, peak at 3.0 ppm in 1H NMR analysis suggested that NH functional has formed. In 13C NMR, the existence of urethane linkage at 172 ppm further confirmed the reaction. The SEM and XRD results revealed that the addition of FAM induced separation between molecules, which lowered the crosslinking density of POPU coating. The thermal properties of POPU improved glass transition temperature (Tg) of the coating by 2.64% at the addition of 2 phr FAM. The physical properties of POPU was also improved as excellent adhesion properties of FPOPU was shown at 2–6 phr FAM addition: for glass (4B), wood (3B), and steel (5B to 4B). The hardness also improved across all substrates, such as glass (2H to 6H), wood (3H to 4H), and steel (7H to 8H). On the other hand, the addition of higher FAM concentrations (8–12 phr) showed a reduction in thermal properties as the Tg decreased by 7.54%. Moreover, physical properties of FPOPU also deteriorate as high concentration of FAM added. The hardness decreased for glass (6H to 3H) and steel (6H to 5H). Adhesion also decreased for all the substrates tested, including glass (3B to 2B), wood (3B to 2B), and steel (5B to 3B). The optimum FAM addition contributing to high adhesion, hardness and thermal performance was observed at 4 phr, and the best surface application was steel surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermo-responsive, biocompatible polyurethane (PU) with shape memory properties is highly desirable for biomedical applications. An innovative approach to producing wound closure strips using shape memory polymers (SMPs) is of significant interest. In this work, PU composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) was synthesized using two-step polymerization. Palm oil (PO) was added to PU for enhancing the Young's modulus of the PU beyond the set criterion of 130 MPa. It was found that PU had the ability to crystallize at room temperature and the segments of individual PCL and BDO polyurethanes crystallized separately. The crystalline domains and hard segment of PU greatly affected the tensile properties. The reduction of crystalline domains by the addition of PO and deformation at the higher melting temperature of the crystalline PCL polyurethane phase improved the shape fixity and shape recovery ratios. The new irreversible phase, raised from the permanent deformation upon stretching at the between melting temperature of the crystalline PCL and BDO polyurethanes of 70 °C, resulted in a decrease in shape fixity ratio after the first thermomechanical stretching–recovering cycles. The demonstration of PU as a wound closure strip showed its efficiency and potential until the surgical wound healed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of oil palm and cattle grazing in the tropics continues to alter numerous ecosystem functions. The generated land-use change is potentially impacting stream leaf-litter breakdown, a fundamental process for freshwater ecosystems. To assess the effect of land-use change, we studied breakdown rates of forest (Pachira aquatica, Pouroma aspera, Sloanea ampla, and Hippocratea volubilis) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves after a 26-day immersion in streams surrounded by rainforests, grazing lands, or oil palm plantations with and without riparian buffers. In addition, we assessed breakdown drivers by deploying litter bags (248) of two mesh sizes (15 mm and 0.5 mm) allowing or restricting macroinvertebrates' access (134 coarse-mesh bags and 114 fine-mesh bags). Forest leaf breakdown by microbes (fine-mesh) was lower by 55% in the plantations compared to forests; while microbial oil palm-leaf breakdown was lower by 32% in the unbuffered plantations compared to forests (p < 0.05). Total litter breakdown was lower (p > 0.05) in the plantations but not when these preserved riparian buffers. Litter breakdown was driven primarily by microbes in all land uses except in the buffered plantations, possibly due to increased shredder biomass. These results suggest that oil palm agriculture may decrease microbial stream leaf-litter breakdown, especially in streams with no riparian buffers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of oil palm replanting areas will lead to ecological problems such as plant disturbing organisms. Pest and disease attacks are obstacles farmers face when developing their farms, especially in smallholder oil palm plantations. This study aims to examine the components of cultivation techniques, environmental factors, and human resources that influence the application of IPM on smallholder oil palm replanting land in Pangkalan Kuras District, Pelalawan Regency, Riau Province. The methods used in this study included the field surveys, pest and disease monitoring, data collection through interviews with 60 farmers using structured questionnaires and continued with informal discussion, and data analysis. The results showed that socio-economic aspects influenced farmers' actions in implementing IPM. Farmer knowledge about pests and diseases of oil palm plants was 36%. Farmers have applied several pest and disease control techniques in oil palm cultivation on replanting land. However, most farmers (60%) are still unfamiliar with the term IPM, need to learn the role of natural enemies in pest control in the field, and lack regular monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degumming and bleaching are critical steps in the palm oil refining process, as they are the precursors to the qualities of refined, bleached, and deodorized palm oil. In practice, plant operators often face oil rejections in these processes and solve the problem by trial and error. Hence, a fuzzy expert system is developed to troubleshoot the degumming and bleaching process, for identifying failures and suggesting actions. However, developing the knowledge base and inference engine in the fuzzy expert system for troubleshooting the degumming and bleaching process is challenging because the data in the actual palm oil refining process are poorly documented and must be obtained from various sources, including field observation, document analysis, and interviews, and need to be analyzed using thematic analysis. The results from the thematic analysis were represented as input and output variables of the fuzzy expert system. The developed fuzzy expert system is tested and validated against different data sets and industrial data to identify faults and suggest necessary actions. To evaluate the robustness of the troubleshooting system, the membership functions of the fuzzy expert system are adjusted based on the distributed control system (DCS). The results show that the troubleshooting system can effectively diagnose potential faults and provide necessary actions and can serve as a useful guidance for failures in the degumming and bleaching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of oil palm fruits (Elaeis guineensis) for the production of oil dates back several thousand years. At a temperature of 18–20 °C, the oil is in a solid state, which is why it is also referred to as fat. Palm oil has specific chemical composition and physical properties. Processing oil palm fruits yields high-quality oil used in various industries, with the largest application being in the food industry. However, the quality of palm oil is influenced by the method of production, storage, and storage conditions. Storing oils at high temperatures, and exposure to light and oxygen, leads to undesirable changes that impair the quality of the oil or the product containing it. To enhance the oxidative stability of palm oil, specific concentrations of antioxidants, either natural or synthetic, are added. For this research, extracts of rosemary, smoketree, ginger, immortelle, milk thistle, sage, and other medicinal plants were used as natural antioxidants in concentrations of 0.20 %, while butylhydroxyanisole, butylhydroxytoluene, and propyl gallate in concentrations of 0.01 % were used as synthetic antioxidants. Firstly, analyses of moisture content, free fatty acids, and peroxide value were performed on a control sample (without antioxidants). After adding antioxidants to the palm oil, a stability test was conducted in an oven at 63 °C. Samples were taken, and the peroxide value and free fatty acid content were determined every 24 h, up to a maximum of 120 h. The research found that, among the synthetic antioxidants, butylhydroxytoluene provided the greatest contribution to the stability of palm oil, while the other synthetic antioxidants had a similar effect. Among the natural antioxidants, the immortelle extract demonstrated the best effect, while the sage and milk thistle extracts accelerated the oxidative deterioration of palm oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]