A Review of Main Factors Involved in the Maturation of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Fruit Bunches

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a diploid perennial plant of the Arecaceae family. It is the most important plant cultivated for oil production. To ensure this production, certain optimal conditions are required: temperature, sunshine, rainfall, etc. The oil palm ensures its survival through the fruits borne on bunches located at the axis of the 17th to 20th leaves from the central stem. From pollination to the maturity of a bunch it takes about 4.5 to 6 months. Several events occur during this period: seed enlargement, weight increase, colour change, etc., but also important physiological changes: synthesis of some pigments (anthocyanin), increase in oil content correlated with the decrease in water content, etc. All of these constitute factors that can provide a better understanding of the biology of the seed. The aim of this work was to review some of the important parameters involved in the development and maturation of oil palm fruit bunches. These factors are classified into physiological, biochemical as well as environmental. The physiological parameters are color, appearance of embryo, seed weight and fruit detachment from bunches;Biochemical parameters include water content, oil content, carbohydrate, protein, mineral contents and lipase activity while temperature is the main environmental factor that affects fruit maturation. Thorough research has not yet been done at the different stages of maturation and ripening, thus a deep look into this may open up new avenues for research on early germinated oil palm seed production prior to seed dormancy.

Statistical optimization of adsorption processes for removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol by activated carbon derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches

The adsorption capacity of activated carbon produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches through removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solution was carried out in the laboratory. The activated carbon was produced by thermal activation of activation time with 30 min at 800℃. The adsorption process conditions were determined with the statistical optimization followed by central composite design. A developed polynomial model for operating conditions of adsorption process indicated that the optimum conditions for maximum adsorption of phenolic compound were： agitation rate of 100 r/min, contact time of 8 h, initial adsorbate concentration of 250 mg/L and pH 4. Adsorption isotherms were conducted to evaluate biosorption process. Langmuir isotherm was more favorable （R^2=0.93） for removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol by the activated carbon rather than Freundlich isotherm （R^2=0.88）.

Development of Autonomous Travelling Device for Oil Palm FFB （Fresh Fruit Bunches） Harvester

Robot technology is a very promising technology for agricultural sector, but the existing industrial robot could not deliver the above-mentioned criteria. Industrial robot mainly uses high voltage electrical power, which is not available at field and outdoor operation. The only available and reliable power is a hydraulic from the tractor. The harvester robot consumes the hydraulic power from the tractor and at the same time the tractor can be used as a traveling device for the robot. This paper describes the study on the development of autonomous tractor for the oil palm harvester. The development took considerations on the design of the electro-hydraulic system and the control software for the robot structure to be flexible enough to operate in plantation environment.

Bio-Oil Production by Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch in Nitrogen and Steam Atmospheres

This work investigated the bio-oil production from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) by continuous pyrolysis reactor under nitrogen and steam atmospheres as sweeping gas. The study parameters were particle size, biomass feeding rate, reactor temperature, and reactor sweeping gas. The EFB particle ranges were below 500 micrometers, between 500 - 1180 micrometers and 1180 - 2230 micrometers. Feeding rates were 150, 350, and 550 rpm. Both factors were analyzed by single factor ANOVA. Additionally, Box-Behnken design was used to investigate temperature (350oC - 600oC) under the following nitrogen and steam flow rates as sweeping gas: 0, 100, and 200 cm3/min of nitrogen and 0, 9, and 18 cm3/min of steam. The mathematical model from Box-Behnken design succeeded in predicting the optimal conditions for normal and nitrogen atmospheres. A particle size below 1180 μm was determined to be optimal for bio-oil production. In a normal atmosphere or no sweeping gas, the condition was 475oC and 450 rpm of feed rate. The optimal condition for nitrogen atmosphere was 530oC, 450 rpm of feed rate, and 200 cm3/min of nitrogen flow rate. However, steam as sweeping gas caused high uncertainty and the model was unable to predict the optimal conditions accurately. The biooils from normal, nitrogen, steam, and mixed atmospheres were analyzed for general characteristics. NMR and GC-MS were used to analyze chemical compositions in the bio-oils. Relationships between physical and chemical characteristics were determined and discussed.

Environmental Friendly Lightweight Material from Natural Fibers of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

Indonesia is the most producer of crude palm oil (CPO) worldwide with production more that 25 million tons in 2013. Through increasing production of CPO the wastes generated are growing up as well. The empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) is one of the solid waste (biomass) which is generated at the palm oil mill. Its amount is equivalent to the CPO production, but only about 50% of its weight are good fibers for further usage as industrial raw material. The EFB fiber consists an interesting honey comb/lightweight structure. By mixing the EFB natural fiber with bio binding agent based on potato the environmental friendly materials (biocomposites) can be produced which are 100% biodegadrable. The biocomposites with 2 mm thickness have strengthness about 7 GPa according to the 3 points bending test standard of DIN 53 457. After coating process the environmental friendly lightweight materials with density less than 0.4 g/cm3 will be ready to be implemented for different technical applications.

Impact of Progressive Pruning on Leaf Miner (Coelaenomenodera lameensis) Incidence and the Yield of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) —A Case Study of Benso Oil Palm Plantation Plc, Adum Banso Estate, Ghana

The oil palm leaf miner, Coelaenomenodera lameensis, is currently the most destructive pest of oil palm in Ghana and other African oil palm growing countries, causing significant losses in fresh fruit bunch yield. Progressive pruning is an oil palm pruning method in which pruning is done at the same time as fresh fruit bunch harvesting. This study evaluated the impact of progressive pruning on leaf miner population in oil palm and how these two factors (leaf miner and progressive pruning) affect the yield of oil palm at the Benso Oil Palm Plantation Public listed company (BOPP. Plc). Five distinct blocks in the plantation were selected for observations on fronds at various ranks (33, 25, or 17) based on the degree of defoliation by counting the number of pests on leaflets at different phases of insect development. Fronds from selected plots were sampled in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The size of plots used for the study ranged between 19 to 45 hectares. A minimum of 78 fronds were evenly cut from each block for pest count depending on the block size. Secondary data on annual yields of fresh fruit bunches before and after the introduction of progressive pruning were also obtained from BOPP. Plc records from 2011-2020. The results from the analyzed data on leaf miner index before and after the introduction of progressive pruning showed that progressive pruning has, to a high extent (64% to 36%), reduced leaf miner populations in the plantation. Paired t-test on fresh fruit bunch yield has also revealed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in annual fresh fruit bunch yield due to progressive pruning. A regression analysis, however, revealed a lower rate of yield loss (3.05 to 2.70 tonnes) to leaf miner infestation after the introduction of progressive pruning. The study recommends progressive pruning as a key cultural practice for improving crop yields in leaf miner prone plantations.

油棕果茎(Palm Fruit Bunch)KP制浆造纸性能

该文介绍了对油棕果茎进行制浆造纸的初步研究,对该原料进行了主要化学成分分析,采用普通硫酸法进行蒸煮,对其制浆工艺条件进行了选择和优化,进行了低浓打浆实验,和抄纸实验。结果表明,采用普通KP制浆,经打浆后,可以用来抄造一般用途的纸张。

Characterization of Formacell Lignin Derived from Black Liquor as a Potential Green Additive for Advanced Biocomposites

Black liquor is obtained as a by-product of the pulping process,which is used to convert biomass into pulp by removing lignin,hemicelluloses and other extractives from wood to free cellulose fibers.Lignin represents a major constituent in black liquor,with quantities varying from 20%to 30%,of which a very low share is used for manufacturing value-added products,while the rest is mainly burned for energy purposes,thus underestimating its great potential as a raw material.Therefore,it is essential to establish new isolation and extraction methods to increase lignin valorization in the development of bio-based chemicals.The aim of this research work was to determine the effect of KOH or ethanol concentration as an isolation agent on lignin yields and the chemical characteristics of lignin isolated from formacell black liquor of oil palm empty fruit bunch(OPEFB).Isolation of lignin was carried out using KOH with various concentrations ranging from 5%to 15%(w/v).Ethanol was also used to precipitate lignin from black liquor at concentrations varying from 5%to 30%(v/v).The results obtained showed that the addition of KOH solution at 12.5%and 15%concentrations resulted in better lignin yield and chemical properties of lignin,i.e.,pH values of 3.86 and 4.27,lignin yield of 12.78%and 14.95%,methoxyl content of 11.33%and 10.13%,and lignin equivalent weights of 476.25 and 427.03,respectively.Due to its phenolic structure and rich functional groups that are favorable for modifications,lignin has the potential to be used as a green additive in the development of advanced biocomposite products in various applications to replace current fossil fuel-based material,ranging from fillers,fire retardants,formaldehyde scavengers,carbon fibers,aerogels,and wood adhesives.

油棕鲜果穗产量构成因素的相关性和回归分析

为明确油棕鲜果穗产量构成因素之间的关系,利用相关性、回归和通径等分析方法,对58株油棕单株鲜果穗产量与其它性状相关性进行了研究。结果表明:油棕鲜果穗产量与鲜果穗重和每株果穗数的相关性最为密切。另外,在油棕高产品种选育过程中,应着重对平均果穗重、每株果穗数、果实大小和含油量等性状进行选择,并综合权衡这些产量性状之间的相互作用。产量性状变异和相关性分析表明,平均种壳厚度变异程度最大(88.34%),平均果长变异最小(11.99%),鲜果穗产量与鲜果穗重、每株果穗数、平均果重呈极显著正相关关系(0.882**,0.714**,0.439**),与平均果长呈显著正相关关系(0.334*)。多元线性回归和通径分析结果表明,通过比较多元线性回归方程的相关参数,建立了可实用的最优多元线性回归方程x_1=-281.511+2.787x_4+3.455x_5-2.672x_6+0.411x_7+6.690x_8+3.664x_9,平均鲜果穗重和每株果穗数对单株鲜果穗产量的直接作用最大(0.670,0.439),其它性状对单株产量的直接作用较小,平均果重和平均果长对单株鲜果穗产量的间接作用最大(0.335,0.322)。该研究结果为油棕高产品种选育提供了依据。

棕榈空果串分丝机设计

针对棕榈空果串(EFB)的特点,提出了为满足制浆造纸、织毯等用途的专用分丝处理设备以达到原料备料要求,该设备采用了双辊啮合剪切的原理,并设计了特殊形状的啮合刀片达到剪切分丝的效果,同时匹配不同的速度以达到产量需求;在工厂试验数据分析的基础上,确定了其产量及可配套的制浆生产线规模,对棕榈油厂榨油后的空果串废物利用设备选型及国内投资商开拓东南亚市场,利用其资源制浆造纸等有较好的参考和指导意义。

棕榈纤维碱性亚硫酸盐法制浆造纸性能

对油棕榈空果串纤维丝、桉木及芒秆的化学成分进行分析与对比,并对油棕榈空果串纤维丝碱性亚硫酸盐法造纸性能进行正交实验研究。结果显示:油棕榈空果串纤维灰分含量、综纤维素含量、热水抽出物以及苯醇抽出物均明显高于桉木和芒秆,1%NaOH抽出物、聚戊糖含量介于二者之间,而Klason木素含量最低,造纸性能介于阔叶木与草类纤维之间。在NaOH用量为10%,Na2SO3用量为10%,最高温度150℃,保温时间0.5h的优化条件下,其碱性亚硫酸盐法本色浆抄造的纸板强度指标均超过国家箱纸板优等品技术指标。

Removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Selected Agricultural Wastes: Adsorption and Characterisation Studies

The feasibility of durian tree sawdust (DTS), coconut coir (CC) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as low-cost biosorbents for the removal of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. The effects of solution pH and initial metal concentration on adsorption capacity were examined in batch experiments. The affinity and the adsorption capacity of DTS, CC and EFB were evaluated. The adsorption behaviour of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions onto DTS, CC and EFB was described using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The separation factor (RL) analysis suggests that the removal of metal ions onto three agricultural wastes studied was favourable. The maximum adsorption capacities (Q) estimated from the Langmuir isotherm model for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) were 18.42, 20.37 and 22.78 mg/g for DTS, 18.38, 37.04 and 24.39 mg/g for CC, and 26.95, 37.59 and 21.19 mg/g for EFB, respectively. The characterisation studies were carried out using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). The surface morphology of the biosorbents changed significantly following interaction with metal ions. The primary adsorption mechanism was complexation between metal ions and binding sites of biosorbents. Both hydroxyl and amine groups are the main binding sites in DTS, CC and EFB.

柄篮状菌与里氏木霉酶解棕榈纤维效果的比较

以青霉属柄篮状菌和里氏木霉Rut-C30为研究对象,在50 IU/g底物酶用量的条件下,比较研究了这两种菌株各自对棕榈空果串纤维的酶解能力。结果表明,柄篮状菌对纤维素的酶解能好于Rut-C30,96 h后,两者葡萄糖转化率为83.7%、61.7%。Rut-C30对木聚糖的酶解能力相对较好,其木糖转化率为98.3%,而柄篮状菌酶解的木糖转化率仅为33.1%。将两菌株的酶按1∶1酶用量混合后,棕榈纤维的整体水解效果增强,葡萄糖、木糖转化率依次为91.3%和98.1%。该研究为柄篮状菌与木霉混合水解棕榈纤维提供了依据。