Menara Perkebunan

Characterisation of novel acidic lipase of Corynebacterium nuruki PM2 from palm oil mill effluent for palm oil derivatisation

Ludwinardo Putra, Irma Kresnawaty, Imron Riyadi — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The palm oil industry generates significant amounts of palm oil mill effluent (POME), which harbors diverse microbial communities with potential biotechnological applications. Yet, only a limited number of lipolytic bacteria have been isolated and studied. A limited nutrient medium selection has been previously demonstrated for isolating unique indigenous bacteria. This study aimed to isolate novel lipolytic bacteria from POME and characterize the lipase for potential palm oil derivatization. Corynebacterium nuruki PM2 was successfully isolated and identified. Distinct colony morphologies were observed on different agar media. Lipase from C. nuruki PM2 (LipCN) exhibited optimum activity at 40-60°C, pH 5.0-8.0, and with vegetable oil as substrate. The enzyme also showed the highest stability at a temperature between 30 °C and 40°C and at a pH of 7.0-8.0 after 30 minutes of incubation. The enzyme remained stable in methanol, isopropanol, and n-hexane. Metal ions such as Mn²⁺ and surfactants (e.g., Triton X-100, Tween-80, and Tween-20 significantly inhibit LipCN activity. Thin-layer chromatography identified 2-palmitoylglycerol in the hydrolyzed product of LipCN, suggesting sn-1,3 specific activity of the enzyme.

Factors affecting crude palm oil quality across the supply chain and implications for downstream industries in North Sumatra and Riau

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Crude Palm Oil (CPO) quality, which is vital for downstream industries, is affected by multiple supply chain factors. This study investigated these factors and industrial needs in North Sumatra and Riau, Indonesia's key provinces for CPO production. Methods included supply chain investigations Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production, Palm Oil Mill (PMO) processing, and CPO transport/storage, a refinery case study, and a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with downstream industries. FFB handling practices, including loose fruit diversions, impacted mill intake quality. PMO processing significantly altered Free Fatty Acid (FFA), Moisture and Impurities (M&I), and Deterioration of Bleachability Index (DOBI). Substantial DOBI degradation and FFA increases occurred during CPO transportation and storage at the refinery due to oxidation and hydrolysis. Downstream, the refining and oleochemical sectors require high CPO quality (e.g., high DOBI and low FFA), whereas the biodiesel sector is more flexible. PMO operational alignment with advanced quality metrics like DOBI was limited. This study concludes that CPO quality is vulnerable throughout its supply chain, particularly post-milling. The findings necessitate an integrated approach that includes improved FFB handling, optimized PMO processing, and enhanced logistics to minimize degradation and align production quality with the specific demands of each downstream sector. Such an approach is crucial for improving the overall efficiency and competitiveness of the Indonesian palm oil industry.

Extraction and characterization of fulvic acid from oil palm empty fruit bunches

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) contain 27.78% lignin, which can serve as an alternative source of renewable fulvic acid, alongside soil and coal. This study aims to conduct the fulvic acid extraction process using a microwave extractor. The extraction process was carried out using H₂O₂ solvents with concentrations of 18, 21, and 24% and various sample types (OPEFB, shilajit, and commercial fulvic acid fertilizer), with three repetitions. The resulting liquid fulvic acid extract was then made into powder using freeze-drying. Quantitative testing was conducted using the spectrophotometric method, while qualitative testing employed Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR), spectrofluorometry, a CHN analyzer, and Thermogravimetric Analysis - Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA-DSC). The results showed that the best solvent concentration for the fulvic acid extraction process was H₂O₂, 21% of the total in the OPEFB sample. The highest fulvic acid content was found in the OPEFB sample at 23.59%; in the shilajit sample, it was 9.62%, and in the commercial fulvic acid fertilizer sample, it was 6.97%. The characterization results from spectrophotometric analysis, elemental analysis, and TGA-DSC analysis showed the potential of fulvic acid in the OPEFB sample, as it exhibited similarities with the analysis results of commercial fulvic acid (shilajit & commercial fulvic acid fertilizer).

Techno-economic analysis and scale-up process simulation of compost production from OPEFB using rapid decomposition system (RDS) technology with SuperPro Designer®

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) are biomass waste from oil palm mills (POM) that are abundant and potential as feedstock for compost. However, the conventional composting process for OPEFB is time-consuming and inefficient. A Rapid Decomposition System (RDS) technology has been developed to accelerate the decomposition of OPEFB into compost, utilising microorganisms that produce ligninolytic and cellulase enzymes. RDS combines chemical delignification (using H₂O₂) and biological processes simultaneously, which significantly reduces the composting period (generally 2–3 months to only about 45 h per batch), while also producing valuable by-products such as fulvic acid and growth stimulating hormone (GSH). The system can reduce OPEFB volume, thereby improving efficiency and sustainability. This study aims to simulate the scale-up of the RDS compost production process from OPEFB and financial feasibility. A simulation production of 5 kg of RDS compost at a larger scale (scale-up) using SuperPro Designer® software has been conducted. The results showed that 100 kg of OPEFB could produce 32.67 kg of RDS compost with a process time of 45.01 hours per batch. The financial scenario, which covers the main product (compost) and by-products (GSH and fulvic acid), yields a gross margin of 55%, a return on investment (ROI) of 68.67%, and a payback period of 1.46 years. The techno-economic feasibility analysis yielded an internal rate of return (IRR) of 41.08% and a nett present value (NPV) of $24,743,000, indicating that this technology is feasible and profitable for scaling up to industrial scale.

Effectiveness of a combination of organosulfur and polyphenols in controlling basal stem rot disease at selected levels of disease severity

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Basal stem rot (BSR) is a major disease of oil palm. One approach to control the pathogen is by using organic fungicides. This study aims to assess the efficacy of two kinds of fungicides, organosulfur and polyphenol, in suppressing Ganoderma boninense and their impact on seedlings. Poisoned agar media were used in the in vitro assay with organosulfur at concentrations of 0.8% and 0.125%, polyphenol at 1.6% and 0.125%, and two combinations: 0.8% organosulfur + 0.125% polyphenol and 1.6% organosulfur + 0.125% polyphenol (v/v), with a 3-replication test. In vivo trials were conducted on 4-month-old oil palm seedlings inoculated with G. boninense. Two treatments were tested: Combination 1 (0.8% organosulfur + 0.125% polyphenol, v/v) and Combination 2 (1.6% organosulfur + 0.125% polyphenol, v/v). The solution was applied by soil drenching, 200 mL per plant, at the stem base every 14 days, totalling four applications within a 3-month period. The treatments were evaluated under three levels of disease severity: Group 1 (asymptomatic plants with fungal fruiting bodies), Group 2 (leaf necrosis ≤ 50%), and Group 3 (leaf necrosis ≥ 50%). The first result demonstrated a full inhibition of fungal growth in treatments with 1.6% polyphenol and the combination of 1.6% organosulfur + 0.125% polyphenol (v/v). In vivo assay results showed that an increase in resistance (measured by prolonged survival) was observed in Groups 1 and 2. These findings indicate that combining organosulfur and polyphenol fungicides can improve seedling resistance to BSR, particularly at early and moderate disease stages.

In silico study: identification and characterization of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) in Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.)

Mukhamad Su'udi, Qori’atul Mustafidah — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The use of low-quality planting material and extreme weather conditions caused by global warming are major factors contributing to low Arabica coffee productivity in Indonesia. The development of new cultivars and the improvement of Arabica coffee adaptability play crucial roles in preventing productivity decline. This study aims to identify and characterize HSP90 proteins in Arabica coffee through in silico analysis, focusing on their adaptability to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. This study was conducted using DNA and HSP90 protein sequences from Arabica coffee retrieved from various databases. The analysis included assessments of physicochemical properties, gene structure analysis, protein subcellular localization prediction, cis-acting element analysis, protein interaction analysis, and phylogenetic analysis. The results identified a total of twenty CaHSP90 genes distributed across 11 Arabica coffee chromosomes. Characterization revealed that the HSP90 protein family has diverse physicochemical properties, with varying sequence lengths and molecular weights. Most members are acidic, hydrophilic proteins localized in the cytoplasm. Analysis of the CaHSP90 gene expression based on cis-acting elements and phylogenetics showed that HSP90 in Arabica coffee is expressed in response to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as defense against pathogens. The results of this study provide a foundation for the development of new Arabica coffee cultivars with improved resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, and support the selection of candidate CaHSP90 genes for breeding programs.