Kinetics of cellulase production by Chaetomium globosum at different levels of dissolved oxygen tension using oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre as substrate

The effect of different levels of dissolved oxygen tension (d.o.t) at a fixed agitation speed on the production of three major components of extracellular (free) cellulase (FPase, endoglucanase and β-glucosidase) by Chaetomium globosum strain 414 was investigated. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fibre (10 g/l) and peptone (6 g/l) were used as carbon and nitrogen sources for cellulase production, respectively. Growth of C. globosum and cellulase complex production were modelled using models based on logistic and Luedeking-Piret equations. The calculated data fitted well to the experimental data, indicating that the models were suitable for describing and verifying growth and cellulase complex production at different d.o.t levels. Cell growth and cellulase production were approximately two-fold higher in the stirred tank fermenter as compared with shake flask culture. At d.o.t of between 30-50% saturation, cell growth and cellulase production were higher than those under oxygen-limited conditions (5% saturation) and at high d.o.t (80% saturation). However, the highest activities of FPase (2.5 U/ml), CMCase (59.5 U/ml) and β-glucosidase (12.8 U/ml) were obtained at a d.o.t of 50% saturation and these gave the overall productivities of 20.8, 495 and 53.3 U/l.h, respectively

Bio-composting oil palm waste for improvement of soil fertility

Sources of bio-compost as agro-industrial wastes includes wide range of oil palm wastes viz. waste, biomass, palm kernels, empty fruit bunch, mill effluent, trunk and frond compost. Various composting processes are summarized in brief with distinct reference of oil–palm composting covering aerated static pile, and co-composting with earthworms (vermicomposting). However, in-vessel composting and windrow composting has meritorious advantages in composting. This review article refers to various significant roles played by microorganisms associated. Noteworthy study of bio-compost applications and procedures are correspondingly glosses framework of ecological, economical and agro-ecosystemic benefits

Modification of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fibers by Nanoparticle Impregnation and Alkali Treatment

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers were impregnated by copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) through the cationization process as well as treated by alkali solutions. Mechanical properties of different single fibers were measured and analysed by the Weibull statistical distribution. The weak link scaling of Weibull analysis has provided valuable information to scale the strength of one EFB fiber to predict the strength of other one. The impregnation and interfacial interaction of CuNPs with fibers has been analysed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction study, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray study and thermogravimetric analysis. A significant increase in mechanical property of modified fibers with respect to the control ones has been observed. The crystallinity and thermal stability of the treated fibers were also found to be changed. These findings strongly suggest that CuNPs can be used as an effective reinforcing agent in natural fibers to improve their mechanical property and durability