This research investigates the relationship between hardness and microstructure obtained through SEM-EDS analysis of palm oil waste-based biocoke.The mechanical qualities and chemical composition of biocoke are being ...This research investigates the relationship between hardness and microstructure obtained through SEM-EDS analysis of palm oil waste-based biocoke.The mechanical qualities and chemical composition of biocoke are being studied concerning the influence of temperature conditions.The manufacturing temperature of biocoke may vary between 150℃ and 190℃.Utilizing SEM-EDS,we were able to characterize the microstructure and analyze the elemental composition,while the Hardness Shore D approach was used for the most complex materials.These results highlight the possibility of optimizing production temperature to produce biocoke with better mechanical performance.They show a positive correlation between biocoke hardness and structured carbon content.At 150℃ and 180℃,respectively,the EFB biocoke reached its maximum hardness level of 62±5.At 190℃,OPM biocoke generated a 60±5 times greater hardness than that of OPM and OPF biocoke.The OPT biocoke sample had the highest porosity with a score of 0.86,or 85.76%.Furthermore,compared to EFB biocoke,OPM and OPF biocokes had a priority of 0.84(84.20%)and 0.83(83.48%),respectively.Biocoke hardness is a quality indicator of physical and chemical qualities;the vital link between biocoke hardness,structural features,and elemental composition supports this idea.展开更多
The objective of this study is to determine the factors responsible for the acidification of Burundi palm oils. The investigation of the duration of fermentation of palm fruits performed among artisanal producers foun...The objective of this study is to determine the factors responsible for the acidification of Burundi palm oils. The investigation of the duration of fermentation of palm fruits performed among artisanal producers found that more than 89% of producers from commune of Rumonge ferment for more than 5 days while more than 61% of those from commune of Mutimbuzi ferment for 4 days. The determination of acid value using the method of ISO 660:2009 showed that Dura and Tenera varieties fermented for 4 days had respectively 5.9 ± 2.3 and 5.8 ± 1.8 mg of KOH/g of oil for clustered fruits, 7.03 ± 3.4 and 7.02 ± 3.2 mg of KOH/g for destemmed fruits. After 8 days, the acid values of Dura and Tenera varieties obtained were respectively 10.9 ± 4.7 and 12.5 ± 5.4 mg KOH/g for clustered fruits, 12.5 ± 5.4 and 12.5 ± 4.1 mg KOH/g for destemmed fruits. No significant difference was recorded between varieties. On the other hand, a highly significant difference at p < 0.05 was obtained between fruits fermented in the open air (e.g. around the foot of the oil palm, FFOA), in a shed when the fruits were not covered (SFNC) and in a shed when the fruits were covered by branches or straw (SFC). At 8 days of fermentation, the acid values of FFOA, SFNC and SFC were 9.1 ± 0.7 < 12.6 ± 0.8 < 17.7 ± 1.4 for destemmed fruit and 9.1 ± 0.7 < 13.2 ± 1.3 < 13.2 ± 3.2 for clustered fruit, respectively. In light of these results, the acidity of Rumonge palm oil is probably due to the long fermentation time and the technique of covering the fruits during fermentation. These results will allow producers to extract good quality oil and consequently improve the health of consumers.展开更多
This study investigates the influence of using ground palm oil fuel ash(G-POFA) from 10%-30% as cement replacement(by weight) on the cement mortar's pH under various curing conditions. These findings were suppleme...This study investigates the influence of using ground palm oil fuel ash(G-POFA) from 10%-30% as cement replacement(by weight) on the cement mortar's pH under various curing conditions. These findings were supplemented by thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA). Moreover, the resistance of G-POFA blended cement mortars to water absorption and sorptivity was determined. Further, the k-value test was carried out to explain the pozzolanic and filler behavior of G-POFA and to support the results obtained from TGA. It was found that there was no significant impact of several curing conditions on the pH of mortars. The mortar with 10% G-POFA in replacement of cement(G-POFA-10) exhibited the best resistance against water absorption and sorptivity.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets(OPD)on female rat reproductive function.Methods:Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into...Objective:To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets(OPD)on female rat reproductive function.Methods:Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into 4 groups.The rats were fed with:a standard diet,70%of standard diet+30%oxidized palm oil diet(OPD1),OPD1+5 g of boiled yolk egg(OPD2)and OPD1+10%sucrose(OPD3)for 125 days,respectively.During the feeding period,morphometric,estrous cycle,sexual behavior,gestation,biochemical and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated.Results:All OPDs significantly increased abdominal circumference,body mass index and Lee index coupled to an irregularity and lengthening of the estrous cycle.They significantly decreased appetite and consumption behaviours,quantic pregnancy index,fertility rate,implantation sites and index,serum progesterone and high-density lipoprotein levels,increased pre-implantation losses,anti-implantation activities,serum estradiol,triglycerides,total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels,and impaired brain and ovaries oxidative status.Histomorphometric examinations revealed increases in the number of atresic and primary follicles and decreases in secondary,tertiary,Degraaf,total and corpus luteum follicles in ovaries coupled to a neurodegeneration of hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular neurons in the OPD groups compared to the standard diet group.Conclusions:The three OPDs induce obesity and impair the female reproductive function,especially OPD2 and OPD3.These findings contribute to a better understanding of the adverse effects of palm oil bleaching on the reproductive function in female rats,which could be useful in the management of women with obesity-related sexual dysfunction.展开更多
Milk fat contains a variety of nutritive and health-promoting compounds that guard against some disease. In the current system of global competition, when the quality of milk and milk products is not an option but rat...Milk fat contains a variety of nutritive and health-promoting compounds that guard against some disease. In the current system of global competition, when the quality of milk and milk products is not an option but rather a requirement, therefore, determining the purity of milk fat is critical. This study aims to validate analytical methods for detecting palm oil in a mixture of milk fat and palm oil. Methods of this study was involved detection of non-milk fat in fat blinders by determining the saponification value, iodine number, refractive index, butyro refractometer reading, Gas chromatography, Reverse Phase High-performance liquid chromatography, and Fourier transforms Infrared. The results of this study revealed that the saponification value, Iodine number, refractive index, and Butyro Reading could be used to detect the addition of palm oil by a level of 10% - 20% or more to the milk. The level of some fatty acids in the milk as determined by GC, such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:0), is correlated well with the level of adding palm oil to milk fat. The determination of cholesterol and β-sito-sterol content by RP-HPLC could be used for the detection of the addition of palm oil to milk fat. The spectrum behavior produced by FTIR spectroscopy in this adulterated sample is almost the same, so this technique could not be used to detect the palm oil in milk fat.展开更多
Increasing global environmental issues and depleting fossil fuel reserves has necessitated the need for alternative and sustainable fuel. In this paper, the effects of biodiesel and its blend on engine emission and pe...Increasing global environmental issues and depleting fossil fuel reserves has necessitated the need for alternative and sustainable fuel. In this paper, the effects of biodiesel and its blend on engine emission and performance characteristics in an internal combustion engine were analyzed. Biodiesel derived from the transesterification of raw palm oil was blended with diesel fuel at different proportions designated as PO5 (5% Biodiesel and 95% Diesel), PO10 (10% Biodiesel and 90% Diesel), PO15 (15% Biodiesel and 85% Diesel), PO20 (20% Biodiesel and 80% Diesel), PO50 (50% Biodiesel and 50% Diesel), PO85 (85% Biodiesel and 15% Diesel), and PO100 (100% Biodiesel). A Lombardini 2-cylinder, four-stroke direct injection diesel engine with a compression ratio of 22.8 was developed using Ricardo Wave software in which diesel, palm oil biodiesel blends and pure biodiesel are used in the model, and the obtained results were analysed and presented. The simulation was done under varying engine speeds of 1200 rpm to 3200 rpm at full load condition. Biodiesel and its blends are more environment-friendly and non-toxic when compared to diesel fuel;it also improves the mechanical efficiency of the engines, and above all can also lead to a reduction in poverty among rural dwellers. The obtained results showed that brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency increased with palm oil biodiesel blends as compared to diesel fuel which might be a result of biodiesel’s lower heating value, and the increase in thermal energy may be a result of the oxygenation of the biodiesel blend as compared to pure diesel. In terms of brake torque, palm oil biodiesel blends were lesser than diesel fuel. The CO, HC, and NO<sub>x</sub> emissions of palm oil biodiesel blends decreased significantly compared to that of pure diesel. From this study, palm oil biodiesel emits lesser emissions than diesel fuel and its performance characteristics are similar to diesel fuel. Therefore, palm oil biodiesel can be used without any modifications directly in a diesel engine. In addition, it can also be used as blends as an alternative and sustainable fuel, decreasing air pollution, and increasing environmental sustainability.展开更多
The climate change and limitation of natural resources becomes main obstacle for the global economical development. So, the Vietnamese Government is very much concerned with reduction of harmful gas discharging from t...The climate change and limitation of natural resources becomes main obstacle for the global economical development. So, the Vietnamese Government is very much concerned with reduction of harmful gas discharging from the inland-water way ships. To overcome the problems, there are many counter-measures proposed such as: renovation of machinery and equipment, using re-creative energy and so on. The author's idea is to find a suitable method which can be applied on board of the inland-water ships to reduce discharging toxic gas by using blended palm oil as alternative fuel for marine diesel engines. Due to some disadvantages of the bended palm oil in comparison with traditional DO (diesel oil), such as: low freezing point, high viscosity, low stability of blended fue, therefore somehow, the blended palm oil must be made a ship directly on board. With this idea, the author has designed and made agitate mixing equipment working on-line with fuel supply system of a diesel engine. The mixing equipment, then, has been tested at shore-side laboratory as well as on board ships. The research results showed that the fuel mixture (palm oil-DO) made by this mixing equipment is fully usable to replace traditional DO for marine diesel engines installed on board ships of inland water way in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government accepted the research results as prerequisite to devise specific and practical action plans to reduce the pollution from the inland water way ships in coming years.展开更多
A bench-scale expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor was applied to the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME). The reactor had been operated continuously at 35℃ for 514 d, with organic loading rate (OL...A bench-scale expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor was applied to the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME). The reactor had been operated continuously at 35℃ for 514 d, with organic loading rate (OLR) increased from 1.45 to 17.5 kg COD/(m^3·d). The results showed that the EGSB reactor had good performance in terms of COD removal on the one hand, high COD removal of 91% was obtained at two days' of hydraulic retention time (HRT), and the highest OLR of 17.5 kg COD/(m^3·d). On the other hand, only 46% COD in raw POME was transformed into biogas in which the methane content was about 70% (V/V). A 30-d intermittent experiment indicated that the maximum transformation potential of organic matter in raw POME into methane was 56%. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation was observed in the later operation stage, and this was settled by supplementing trace metal elements. On the whole, the system exhibited good stability in terms of acidity and alkalinity. Finally, the operational problems inherent in the laboratory scale experiment and the corresponding countermeasures were also discussed.展开更多
This paper presented a study on the strength and chloride resistance of mortars made with ternary blends of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), ground palm oil fuel ash (POA), and classified fly ash (FA). The mortar...This paper presented a study on the strength and chloride resistance of mortars made with ternary blends of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), ground palm oil fuel ash (POA), and classified fly ash (FA). The mortar mixtures were made with Portland cement type I containing 0-40wt% FA and POA. FA and POA with 1wt%-3wt% retained on a sieve No.325 were used. The compressive strength and rapid chloride penetration depth of mortars were determined. The results reveal that the use of ternary blended cements produces good strength mortars. The use of the blend of FA and POA also produces high strength mortars and excellent resistance to chloride penetration owing to the synergic effect of FA and POA. A mathematical analysis and two-parameter polynomial model were presented to predict the compressive strength. The mathematical model correlated well with the experimental results. The computer 3-D graphics of strength of the ternary blended mortars were also constructed and could be used to aid the understanding and the proportioning of the blended system.展开更多
The transesterification of palm oil and methanol catalyzed by Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids was investigated. Four eco-friendly Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids were prepared and their structures were characterized by NM...The transesterification of palm oil and methanol catalyzed by Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids was investigated. Four eco-friendly Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids were prepared and their structures were characterized by NMR, FT-IR and TG–DTG. The results demonstrated that [CyN_(1,1)PrSO_3H][p-TSA] was more efficient than the other ionic liquids and chosen as catalyst for further research. The influences of various reaction parameters on the conversion of palm oil to biodiesel were performed, and the orthogonal test was investigated to seek the optimum reaction conditions, which were illustrated as follows: methanol to oil mole ratio of 24:1, catalyst dosage of 3.0 wt% of oil, reaction temperature of 120 °C, reaction time of 150 min, and the biodiesel yield achieved 98.4%. In addition, kinetic study was established for the conversion process, with activation energy and preexponential factor of 122.93 k J·mol^(-1) and 1.83 × 10^(15), respectively. Meanwhile, seven-time recycling runs of ionic liquid were completed with ignorable loss of its catalyst activity. The refined biodiesel met the biodiesel standard EN 14214.展开更多
The study was attempted to produce activated carbons from palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced was evaluated in aqueous solution of phenol. Two types of act...The study was attempted to produce activated carbons from palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced was evaluated in aqueous solution of phenol. Two types of activation were followed, namely, thermal activation at 300, 500 and 800%, and physical activation at 150% (boiling treatment). A control (raw POME sludge) was used to compare the adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced. The results indicated that the activation temperature of 800℃ showed maximum absorption capacity by the activated carbon (POME 800) in aqueous solution of phenol. Batch adsorption studies showed an equilibrium time of 6 h for the activated carbon of POME 800. It was observed that the adsorption capacity was higher at lower values ofpH (2--3) and higher value of initial concentration of phenol (200--300 mg/L), The equilibrium data were fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of phenol onto the activated carbon POME 800 was studied in terms of pseudo-first and second order kinetics to predict the rate constant and equilibrium capacity with the effect of initial phenol concentrations. The rate of adsorption was found to be better correlation for the pseudo-second order kinetics compared to the first order kinetics.展开更多
Objective Effects of red palm oil on major plasma carotenoids, tocopherol, retinol and serum lipids were evaluated when used in Chinese diet. Methods Red palm oil group (RPO) composed of 20 male subjects(aged 18-32) a...Objective Effects of red palm oil on major plasma carotenoids, tocopherol, retinol and serum lipids were evaluated when used in Chinese diet. Methods Red palm oil group (RPO) composed of 20 male subjects(aged 18-32) and soybean oil group (SBO) composed of 22 male subjects (aged 18-32). Dietary fat provided about 28% of total calories, and the test oil accounted for about 60% of total dietary fat. In the 3 weeks of pretest period, diets were prepared with soybean oil, and then in the next 6 weeks subjects in each group consumed the diet prepared by test oil. Results Plasma α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene concentration of RPO group significantly increased at the time of interim (21 days) and of the end (42 days) (P<0.05), and α-tocopherol concentration significantly increased at the time of the end (42 days) in this study. Though Chinese plasma retinol level was relatively low when compared with that of Westerners, red palm oil diet showed no significant effect on adult Chinese plasma retinol level. Serum concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein B of all subjects showed no significant changes in RPO group during the study. Conclusions The data in our study suggest that red palm oil is a good source of carotenoids and vitamin E when used in Chinese diet preparation, and it can significantly increase plasma concentration of a-carotene, α-carotene, lycopene and β-tocopherol.展开更多
In this study, two commercially available superoxide scavengers, tetrakis (1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin (Mn[III]TMPyP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as red palm oil (RPO), a natural vegetable oil, h...In this study, two commercially available superoxide scavengers, tetrakis (1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin (Mn[III]TMPyP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as red palm oil (RPO), a natural vegetable oil, had been used to investigate their possible in vitro effects against the toxic effects of superoxide (O2+) on human sperm motility. Semen samples were obtained from 12 normozoospermic healthy volunteer donors aged between 19 and 23 years. The O2+donor 2,3-dimetoxyl-l,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) (2.5 μmol· L^-1-100 μmol· L^-1) was added to normozoospermic post-swim-up sperm in the presence or absence of Mn(III)TMPyP (50 μmol· L^-1), SOD (50 IU) or RPO (0.1% or 0.5%). Computer-assisted semen analysis was used to analyze various motility parameters. The parameters of interest were percentage of motile cells, progressive motility, rapid cells and static cells. Concentrations of higher than 25 μmol· L^-1 DMNQ were detrimental to sperm motility. Mn(III)TMPyP was able to attenuate the effect of O2+ on the motility parameters. In vitro addition of SOD and RPO showed harmful effects on sperm motility.展开更多
Palm oil industry is the most important agro-industry in Malaysia, but its by-product-palm oil mill effluent (POME), posed a great threat to water environment. In the past decades, several treatment and disposal met...Palm oil industry is the most important agro-industry in Malaysia, but its by-product-palm oil mill effluent (POME), posed a great threat to water environment. In the past decades, several treatment and disposal methods have been proposed and investigated to solve this problem. A two-stage pilot-scale plant was designed and constructed for POME treatment. Anaerobic digestion and aerobic biodegradation constituted the first biological stage, while ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane units were combined as the second membrane separation stage. In the anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor, about 43% organic matter in POME was converted into biogas, and COD reduction efficiency reached 93% and 22% in EGSB and the following aerobic reactor, respectively. With the treatment in the first biological stage, suspended solids and oil also decreased to a low degree. All these alleviated the membrane fouling and prolonged the membrane life. In the membrane process unit, almost all the suspended solids were captured by UF membranes, while RO membrane excluded most of the dissolved solids or inorganic salts from RO permeate. After the whole treatment processes, organic matter in POME expressed by BOD and COD was removed almost thoroughly. Suspended solids and color were not detectable in RO permeate any more, and mineral elements only existed in trace amount (except for K and Na). The high-quality effluent was crystal clear and could be used as the boiler feed water.展开更多
The solubility of red palm oil (RPO) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was determined using a dynamic method at 8.5-25 MPa and, 313.15-333.15 K and at a fixed scCO2 flow rate of 2.9 g. mn -1 using a full fac...The solubility of red palm oil (RPO) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was determined using a dynamic method at 8.5-25 MPa and, 313.15-333.15 K and at a fixed scCO2 flow rate of 2.9 g. mn -1 using a full factorial design. The solubility was determined under low pressures and temperatures as a preliminary study for RPO par- ticle formation using scCO2. The solubility of RPO was 0.5-11.3 mg. (g CO2) -1 and was significantly affected by the pressure and temperature. RPO solubility increased with pressure and decreased with temperature. The Adachi-Lu model showed the best-fit for RPO solubility data with an average relative deviation of 14% with a high coefficient of determination, R2 of 0.9667, whereas the Peng-Robinson equation of state thermodynamic model recorded deviations of 17%-30%.展开更多
Dietary oils have critical influences on human health,and thermally cooking or frying modify the components and nutritional functions of oils.Palm oil was the most widely used oil in food processing industry,but its h...Dietary oils have critical influences on human health,and thermally cooking or frying modify the components and nutritional functions of oils.Palm oil was the most widely used oil in food processing industry,but its health effects remain debatable.In the current study,we aimed to compare the effects of thermally oxidized palm oil and canola oil on gut microbiota.Palm oil or canola oil were heated at 180°C for 10 h to prepare high-fat diets.Rats were fed high-fat diets for 3 months,and hematological properties,gut microflora composition and intestinal gene expression were examined.The results indicated that heated canola oil consumption elevated plasma total cholesterol and LDL-c levels compared with unheated canola oil,but heated palm oil do not had these effects;and consumption of heated palm oil significantly elevated the relative abundance of Lactobacillucs and Roseburia in gut,compared with non-heated palm oil or two canola oil groups.Moreover,intestinal expression of IL-22 was increased in heated palm oil fed animal,though ZO-1 and GPR41 were reduced.In conclusion,heating process may enhance the effects of palm oil on proliferation of probiotics Lactobacillucs,and weaken the effects of canola oil on cholesterol transport and metabolism.展开更多
The objective of this research was to develop a catalyst for efficient cracking of palm oil to produce biogasoline. Mesoporous alumino-silicate, A1MCM-41, was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment to the mixture of so...The objective of this research was to develop a catalyst for efficient cracking of palm oil to produce biogasoline. Mesoporous alumino-silicate, A1MCM-41, was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment to the mixture of sodium silicate, sodium aluminates, TMAOH (tetramethylammonium hydroxide), and CTMAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), in Aquadest as a solvent. This process was carried out within 12 h of aging time at 100 ℃ in a teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. The solid phase was filtered, then washed with distilled water, and dried in an oven at 80 ℃ for 24 h. The surfactant CTMAB was removed by calcination at 540 ℃ for 6 h using heating rate of 2 ℃/min. The as-synthesized and calcined powder was characterized by using FTIR (frontier transform infra red spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) methods. The product of AIMCM-41 was then converted into H-AIMCM-41 by ion exchanged in 0.5 M of NHaCI solution followed by filtration, drying at 80 ℃ for 24 h, and calcination at 540 ℃. The product of catalyst was used for catalytic conversion of PO (palm oil) to biogasoline in a fixed bed reactor at 200-400 ℃, under atmospheric pressure, and ratio of PO to catalyst was 200. The product of cracking was then distilled at 60 ℃ and analyzed using GC-MS (gas liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry) method. Result of the works shows that the catalyst had 4.49 nm of lattice parameter, and the cracking of PO gave 56.6% conversions with 29.4% selectivity to biogasoline like fraction.展开更多
Machining is a mechanical process where excess material from a work is removed to produce a product. At the moment different ferrous, non-ferrous materials and industrial blue wax have been used for prototype models. ...Machining is a mechanical process where excess material from a work is removed to produce a product. At the moment different ferrous, non-ferrous materials and industrial blue wax have been used for prototype models. However such materials is very expensive. Hence an attempt is made to substitute these materials by the palm oil based bio-wax produced in Malaysia. In this research, the authors will analyze and investigate whether there is a possibility to use the palm oil based bio-wax material to substitute with the petroleum based industrial-wax. Experimental analyses are carried out to investigate the capability and the strength of the palm oil based bio-wax material. The matrix blends were prepared of fatty acids from oleo-chemicals, palm oil wax, natural ash fibre and low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) by stirring and melt-mixing. Sample b!ends are machined with lathe machining process. The sample blends showed there was no built edge formation and good smooth surface production.展开更多
BACKGROUND: A large amount of endotoxin can be detected in the peripheral venous blood of patients with liver cirrhosis, contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity because of its role in oxidative stress. The...BACKGROUND: A large amount of endotoxin can be detected in the peripheral venous blood of patients with liver cirrhosis, contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity because of its role in oxidative stress. The present study aimed to test the effect of the supplementation with red palm oil(RPO), which is a natural oil obtained from oil palm fruit(Elaeis guineensis) rich in natural fat-soluble tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids, on lipid peroxidation and endotoxemia with plasma endotoxin-inactivating capacity, proinflammatory cytokines profile, and monocyte tissue factor in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: The study group consisted of sixty patients(34 males and 26 females; mean age 62 years, range 54-75) with Child A/B, genotype 1 HCV-related cirrhosis without a history of ethanol consumption, randomly enrolled into an 8-week oral daily treatment with either vitamin E or RPO. All patients had undergone an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy 8 months before, and 13 out of them showed esophageal varices.RESULTS: Both treatments significantly decreased erythrocyte malondialdehyde and urinary isoprostane output, only RPO significantly affected macrophage-colony stimulating factor and monocyte tissue factor. Liver ultrasound imaging did not show any change. CONCLUSIONS: RPO beneficially modulates oxidative stress and, not least, downregulates macrophage/monocyte inflammatory parameters. RPO can be safely advised as a valuable nutritional implementation tool in the management of chronic liver diseases.展开更多
Since the late 1950’s, the Malaysian human population has nearly quadrupled, increasing pressure on natural resource exploitation to meet domestic needs and to earn foreign exchange from exports. Global demand for Ma...Since the late 1950’s, the Malaysian human population has nearly quadrupled, increasing pressure on natural resource exploitation to meet domestic needs and to earn foreign exchange from exports. Global demand for Malaysian palm oil in particular had steeply increased since the mid-1970s and by 2013, the commodity was the leading foreign exchange earner. To fulfill and sustain this demand, the country’s economy has steadily shifted bias towards production and associated value addition of palm oil products for export. However, as a consequence, many of Malaysia’s natural tropical forests have been converted to palm oil farming resulting in loss of approximately 10,000 km2 of forest cover over the past twenty-five years, and biodiversity has been displaced or lost. To provide a deeper insight into the interplay amongst key interrelated environmental and socio-economic variables, and a forecast of possible future balance, we used a systems dynamism modeling tool, STELLAR (structural thinking, experiential learning laboratory with animation), to simulate and project how Malaysia could achieve a medium-term sustainable balance or optimization between palm oil production and forest conservation without compromising on human social welfare. The model consisted of four main modules (environmental, economic, social development and human welfare) each with component parameters, and interconnected by input and output loops. Model calibrations, testing and preruns involved existing official 30-year time-series datasets. Subsequently, four scenarios: Environmental conservation;Economic growth under increased global palm oil demand;Economy decline under decreased palm oil demand;and Control condition with little or no change, were selected for simulated projections of future possibilities. Simulation results showed that scenarios and variable interactions that reduce environmental damage would offer the best chance for optimizing the palm oil economy while also minimizing forest loss and promoting citizen social welfare.展开更多
基金support from Cisitu Advanced Characterization Laboratories and the National Research and Innovation Agency through E-Layanan Sains-BRIN.
文摘This research investigates the relationship between hardness and microstructure obtained through SEM-EDS analysis of palm oil waste-based biocoke.The mechanical qualities and chemical composition of biocoke are being studied concerning the influence of temperature conditions.The manufacturing temperature of biocoke may vary between 150℃ and 190℃.Utilizing SEM-EDS,we were able to characterize the microstructure and analyze the elemental composition,while the Hardness Shore D approach was used for the most complex materials.These results highlight the possibility of optimizing production temperature to produce biocoke with better mechanical performance.They show a positive correlation between biocoke hardness and structured carbon content.At 150℃ and 180℃,respectively,the EFB biocoke reached its maximum hardness level of 62±5.At 190℃,OPM biocoke generated a 60±5 times greater hardness than that of OPM and OPF biocoke.The OPT biocoke sample had the highest porosity with a score of 0.86,or 85.76%.Furthermore,compared to EFB biocoke,OPM and OPF biocokes had a priority of 0.84(84.20%)and 0.83(83.48%),respectively.Biocoke hardness is a quality indicator of physical and chemical qualities;the vital link between biocoke hardness,structural features,and elemental composition supports this idea.
文摘The objective of this study is to determine the factors responsible for the acidification of Burundi palm oils. The investigation of the duration of fermentation of palm fruits performed among artisanal producers found that more than 89% of producers from commune of Rumonge ferment for more than 5 days while more than 61% of those from commune of Mutimbuzi ferment for 4 days. The determination of acid value using the method of ISO 660:2009 showed that Dura and Tenera varieties fermented for 4 days had respectively 5.9 ± 2.3 and 5.8 ± 1.8 mg of KOH/g of oil for clustered fruits, 7.03 ± 3.4 and 7.02 ± 3.2 mg of KOH/g for destemmed fruits. After 8 days, the acid values of Dura and Tenera varieties obtained were respectively 10.9 ± 4.7 and 12.5 ± 5.4 mg KOH/g for clustered fruits, 12.5 ± 5.4 and 12.5 ± 4.1 mg KOH/g for destemmed fruits. No significant difference was recorded between varieties. On the other hand, a highly significant difference at p < 0.05 was obtained between fruits fermented in the open air (e.g. around the foot of the oil palm, FFOA), in a shed when the fruits were not covered (SFNC) and in a shed when the fruits were covered by branches or straw (SFC). At 8 days of fermentation, the acid values of FFOA, SFNC and SFC were 9.1 ± 0.7 < 12.6 ± 0.8 < 17.7 ± 1.4 for destemmed fruit and 9.1 ± 0.7 < 13.2 ± 1.3 < 13.2 ± 3.2 for clustered fruit, respectively. In light of these results, the acidity of Rumonge palm oil is probably due to the long fermentation time and the technique of covering the fruits during fermentation. These results will allow producers to extract good quality oil and consequently improve the health of consumers.
文摘This study investigates the influence of using ground palm oil fuel ash(G-POFA) from 10%-30% as cement replacement(by weight) on the cement mortar's pH under various curing conditions. These findings were supplemented by thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA). Moreover, the resistance of G-POFA blended cement mortars to water absorption and sorptivity was determined. Further, the k-value test was carried out to explain the pozzolanic and filler behavior of G-POFA and to support the results obtained from TGA. It was found that there was no significant impact of several curing conditions on the pH of mortars. The mortar with 10% G-POFA in replacement of cement(G-POFA-10) exhibited the best resistance against water absorption and sorptivity.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the effects of three oxidized palm oil diets(OPD)on female rat reproductive function.Methods:Forty-four female Wistar rats presenting five consecutive and regular estrous cycles were divided into 4 groups.The rats were fed with:a standard diet,70%of standard diet+30%oxidized palm oil diet(OPD1),OPD1+5 g of boiled yolk egg(OPD2)and OPD1+10%sucrose(OPD3)for 125 days,respectively.During the feeding period,morphometric,estrous cycle,sexual behavior,gestation,biochemical and histomorphometric parameters were evaluated.Results:All OPDs significantly increased abdominal circumference,body mass index and Lee index coupled to an irregularity and lengthening of the estrous cycle.They significantly decreased appetite and consumption behaviours,quantic pregnancy index,fertility rate,implantation sites and index,serum progesterone and high-density lipoprotein levels,increased pre-implantation losses,anti-implantation activities,serum estradiol,triglycerides,total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels,and impaired brain and ovaries oxidative status.Histomorphometric examinations revealed increases in the number of atresic and primary follicles and decreases in secondary,tertiary,Degraaf,total and corpus luteum follicles in ovaries coupled to a neurodegeneration of hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular neurons in the OPD groups compared to the standard diet group.Conclusions:The three OPDs induce obesity and impair the female reproductive function,especially OPD2 and OPD3.These findings contribute to a better understanding of the adverse effects of palm oil bleaching on the reproductive function in female rats,which could be useful in the management of women with obesity-related sexual dysfunction.
文摘Milk fat contains a variety of nutritive and health-promoting compounds that guard against some disease. In the current system of global competition, when the quality of milk and milk products is not an option but rather a requirement, therefore, determining the purity of milk fat is critical. This study aims to validate analytical methods for detecting palm oil in a mixture of milk fat and palm oil. Methods of this study was involved detection of non-milk fat in fat blinders by determining the saponification value, iodine number, refractive index, butyro refractometer reading, Gas chromatography, Reverse Phase High-performance liquid chromatography, and Fourier transforms Infrared. The results of this study revealed that the saponification value, Iodine number, refractive index, and Butyro Reading could be used to detect the addition of palm oil by a level of 10% - 20% or more to the milk. The level of some fatty acids in the milk as determined by GC, such as myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:0), is correlated well with the level of adding palm oil to milk fat. The determination of cholesterol and β-sito-sterol content by RP-HPLC could be used for the detection of the addition of palm oil to milk fat. The spectrum behavior produced by FTIR spectroscopy in this adulterated sample is almost the same, so this technique could not be used to detect the palm oil in milk fat.
文摘Increasing global environmental issues and depleting fossil fuel reserves has necessitated the need for alternative and sustainable fuel. In this paper, the effects of biodiesel and its blend on engine emission and performance characteristics in an internal combustion engine were analyzed. Biodiesel derived from the transesterification of raw palm oil was blended with diesel fuel at different proportions designated as PO5 (5% Biodiesel and 95% Diesel), PO10 (10% Biodiesel and 90% Diesel), PO15 (15% Biodiesel and 85% Diesel), PO20 (20% Biodiesel and 80% Diesel), PO50 (50% Biodiesel and 50% Diesel), PO85 (85% Biodiesel and 15% Diesel), and PO100 (100% Biodiesel). A Lombardini 2-cylinder, four-stroke direct injection diesel engine with a compression ratio of 22.8 was developed using Ricardo Wave software in which diesel, palm oil biodiesel blends and pure biodiesel are used in the model, and the obtained results were analysed and presented. The simulation was done under varying engine speeds of 1200 rpm to 3200 rpm at full load condition. Biodiesel and its blends are more environment-friendly and non-toxic when compared to diesel fuel;it also improves the mechanical efficiency of the engines, and above all can also lead to a reduction in poverty among rural dwellers. The obtained results showed that brake specific fuel consumption and brake thermal efficiency increased with palm oil biodiesel blends as compared to diesel fuel which might be a result of biodiesel’s lower heating value, and the increase in thermal energy may be a result of the oxygenation of the biodiesel blend as compared to pure diesel. In terms of brake torque, palm oil biodiesel blends were lesser than diesel fuel. The CO, HC, and NO<sub>x</sub> emissions of palm oil biodiesel blends decreased significantly compared to that of pure diesel. From this study, palm oil biodiesel emits lesser emissions than diesel fuel and its performance characteristics are similar to diesel fuel. Therefore, palm oil biodiesel can be used without any modifications directly in a diesel engine. In addition, it can also be used as blends as an alternative and sustainable fuel, decreasing air pollution, and increasing environmental sustainability.
文摘The climate change and limitation of natural resources becomes main obstacle for the global economical development. So, the Vietnamese Government is very much concerned with reduction of harmful gas discharging from the inland-water way ships. To overcome the problems, there are many counter-measures proposed such as: renovation of machinery and equipment, using re-creative energy and so on. The author's idea is to find a suitable method which can be applied on board of the inland-water ships to reduce discharging toxic gas by using blended palm oil as alternative fuel for marine diesel engines. Due to some disadvantages of the bended palm oil in comparison with traditional DO (diesel oil), such as: low freezing point, high viscosity, low stability of blended fue, therefore somehow, the blended palm oil must be made a ship directly on board. With this idea, the author has designed and made agitate mixing equipment working on-line with fuel supply system of a diesel engine. The mixing equipment, then, has been tested at shore-side laboratory as well as on board ships. The research results showed that the fuel mixture (palm oil-DO) made by this mixing equipment is fully usable to replace traditional DO for marine diesel engines installed on board ships of inland water way in Vietnam. The Vietnamese Government accepted the research results as prerequisite to devise specific and practical action plans to reduce the pollution from the inland water way ships in coming years.
文摘A bench-scale expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor was applied to the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME). The reactor had been operated continuously at 35℃ for 514 d, with organic loading rate (OLR) increased from 1.45 to 17.5 kg COD/(m^3·d). The results showed that the EGSB reactor had good performance in terms of COD removal on the one hand, high COD removal of 91% was obtained at two days' of hydraulic retention time (HRT), and the highest OLR of 17.5 kg COD/(m^3·d). On the other hand, only 46% COD in raw POME was transformed into biogas in which the methane content was about 70% (V/V). A 30-d intermittent experiment indicated that the maximum transformation potential of organic matter in raw POME into methane was 56%. Volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation was observed in the later operation stage, and this was settled by supplementing trace metal elements. On the whole, the system exhibited good stability in terms of acidity and alkalinity. Finally, the operational problems inherent in the laboratory scale experiment and the corresponding countermeasures were also discussed.
文摘This paper presented a study on the strength and chloride resistance of mortars made with ternary blends of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), ground palm oil fuel ash (POA), and classified fly ash (FA). The mortar mixtures were made with Portland cement type I containing 0-40wt% FA and POA. FA and POA with 1wt%-3wt% retained on a sieve No.325 were used. The compressive strength and rapid chloride penetration depth of mortars were determined. The results reveal that the use of ternary blended cements produces good strength mortars. The use of the blend of FA and POA also produces high strength mortars and excellent resistance to chloride penetration owing to the synergic effect of FA and POA. A mathematical analysis and two-parameter polynomial model were presented to predict the compressive strength. The mathematical model correlated well with the experimental results. The computer 3-D graphics of strength of the ternary blended mortars were also constructed and could be used to aid the understanding and the proportioning of the blended system.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21576053)the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(2016J01689)the Young Teacher Education Research Foundation of Fujian Province(JAT160056)
文摘The transesterification of palm oil and methanol catalyzed by Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids was investigated. Four eco-friendly Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids were prepared and their structures were characterized by NMR, FT-IR and TG–DTG. The results demonstrated that [CyN_(1,1)PrSO_3H][p-TSA] was more efficient than the other ionic liquids and chosen as catalyst for further research. The influences of various reaction parameters on the conversion of palm oil to biodiesel were performed, and the orthogonal test was investigated to seek the optimum reaction conditions, which were illustrated as follows: methanol to oil mole ratio of 24:1, catalyst dosage of 3.0 wt% of oil, reaction temperature of 120 °C, reaction time of 150 min, and the biodiesel yield achieved 98.4%. In addition, kinetic study was established for the conversion process, with activation energy and preexponential factor of 122.93 k J·mol^(-1) and 1.83 × 10^(15), respectively. Meanwhile, seven-time recycling runs of ionic liquid were completed with ignorable loss of its catalyst activity. The refined biodiesel met the biodiesel standard EN 14214.
文摘The study was attempted to produce activated carbons from palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge. The adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced was evaluated in aqueous solution of phenol. Two types of activation were followed, namely, thermal activation at 300, 500 and 800%, and physical activation at 150% (boiling treatment). A control (raw POME sludge) was used to compare the adsorption capacity of the activated carbons produced. The results indicated that the activation temperature of 800℃ showed maximum absorption capacity by the activated carbon (POME 800) in aqueous solution of phenol. Batch adsorption studies showed an equilibrium time of 6 h for the activated carbon of POME 800. It was observed that the adsorption capacity was higher at lower values ofpH (2--3) and higher value of initial concentration of phenol (200--300 mg/L), The equilibrium data were fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of phenol onto the activated carbon POME 800 was studied in terms of pseudo-first and second order kinetics to predict the rate constant and equilibrium capacity with the effect of initial phenol concentrations. The rate of adsorption was found to be better correlation for the pseudo-second order kinetics compared to the first order kinetics.
文摘Objective Effects of red palm oil on major plasma carotenoids, tocopherol, retinol and serum lipids were evaluated when used in Chinese diet. Methods Red palm oil group (RPO) composed of 20 male subjects(aged 18-32) and soybean oil group (SBO) composed of 22 male subjects (aged 18-32). Dietary fat provided about 28% of total calories, and the test oil accounted for about 60% of total dietary fat. In the 3 weeks of pretest period, diets were prepared with soybean oil, and then in the next 6 weeks subjects in each group consumed the diet prepared by test oil. Results Plasma α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene concentration of RPO group significantly increased at the time of interim (21 days) and of the end (42 days) (P<0.05), and α-tocopherol concentration significantly increased at the time of the end (42 days) in this study. Though Chinese plasma retinol level was relatively low when compared with that of Westerners, red palm oil diet showed no significant effect on adult Chinese plasma retinol level. Serum concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI and apolipoprotein B of all subjects showed no significant changes in RPO group during the study. Conclusions The data in our study suggest that red palm oil is a good source of carotenoids and vitamin E when used in Chinese diet preparation, and it can significantly increase plasma concentration of a-carotene, α-carotene, lycopene and β-tocopherol.
文摘In this study, two commercially available superoxide scavengers, tetrakis (1-methyl-4-pyridyl) porphyrin (Mn[III]TMPyP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as red palm oil (RPO), a natural vegetable oil, had been used to investigate their possible in vitro effects against the toxic effects of superoxide (O2+) on human sperm motility. Semen samples were obtained from 12 normozoospermic healthy volunteer donors aged between 19 and 23 years. The O2+donor 2,3-dimetoxyl-l,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) (2.5 μmol· L^-1-100 μmol· L^-1) was added to normozoospermic post-swim-up sperm in the presence or absence of Mn(III)TMPyP (50 μmol· L^-1), SOD (50 IU) or RPO (0.1% or 0.5%). Computer-assisted semen analysis was used to analyze various motility parameters. The parameters of interest were percentage of motile cells, progressive motility, rapid cells and static cells. Concentrations of higher than 25 μmol· L^-1 DMNQ were detrimental to sperm motility. Mn(III)TMPyP was able to attenuate the effect of O2+ on the motility parameters. In vitro addition of SOD and RPO showed harmful effects on sperm motility.
文摘Palm oil industry is the most important agro-industry in Malaysia, but its by-product-palm oil mill effluent (POME), posed a great threat to water environment. In the past decades, several treatment and disposal methods have been proposed and investigated to solve this problem. A two-stage pilot-scale plant was designed and constructed for POME treatment. Anaerobic digestion and aerobic biodegradation constituted the first biological stage, while ultrafiltration (UF) and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane units were combined as the second membrane separation stage. In the anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor, about 43% organic matter in POME was converted into biogas, and COD reduction efficiency reached 93% and 22% in EGSB and the following aerobic reactor, respectively. With the treatment in the first biological stage, suspended solids and oil also decreased to a low degree. All these alleviated the membrane fouling and prolonged the membrane life. In the membrane process unit, almost all the suspended solids were captured by UF membranes, while RO membrane excluded most of the dissolved solids or inorganic salts from RO permeate. After the whole treatment processes, organic matter in POME expressed by BOD and COD was removed almost thoroughly. Suspended solids and color were not detectable in RO permeate any more, and mineral elements only existed in trace amount (except for K and Na). The high-quality effluent was crystal clear and could be used as the boiler feed water.
基金supported by Geran Putra IPS(Vote No.:9469400),University Putra Malaysia
文摘The solubility of red palm oil (RPO) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was determined using a dynamic method at 8.5-25 MPa and, 313.15-333.15 K and at a fixed scCO2 flow rate of 2.9 g. mn -1 using a full factorial design. The solubility was determined under low pressures and temperatures as a preliminary study for RPO par- ticle formation using scCO2. The solubility of RPO was 0.5-11.3 mg. (g CO2) -1 and was significantly affected by the pressure and temperature. RPO solubility increased with pressure and decreased with temperature. The Adachi-Lu model showed the best-fit for RPO solubility data with an average relative deviation of 14% with a high coefficient of determination, R2 of 0.9667, whereas the Peng-Robinson equation of state thermodynamic model recorded deviations of 17%-30%.
基金Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.2017CFB275)National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.31271855 and 81402669)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Wuhan Polytechnic University(2019J04).
文摘Dietary oils have critical influences on human health,and thermally cooking or frying modify the components and nutritional functions of oils.Palm oil was the most widely used oil in food processing industry,but its health effects remain debatable.In the current study,we aimed to compare the effects of thermally oxidized palm oil and canola oil on gut microbiota.Palm oil or canola oil were heated at 180°C for 10 h to prepare high-fat diets.Rats were fed high-fat diets for 3 months,and hematological properties,gut microflora composition and intestinal gene expression were examined.The results indicated that heated canola oil consumption elevated plasma total cholesterol and LDL-c levels compared with unheated canola oil,but heated palm oil do not had these effects;and consumption of heated palm oil significantly elevated the relative abundance of Lactobacillucs and Roseburia in gut,compared with non-heated palm oil or two canola oil groups.Moreover,intestinal expression of IL-22 was increased in heated palm oil fed animal,though ZO-1 and GPR41 were reduced.In conclusion,heating process may enhance the effects of palm oil on proliferation of probiotics Lactobacillucs,and weaken the effects of canola oil on cholesterol transport and metabolism.
文摘The objective of this research was to develop a catalyst for efficient cracking of palm oil to produce biogasoline. Mesoporous alumino-silicate, A1MCM-41, was synthesized by hydrothermal treatment to the mixture of sodium silicate, sodium aluminates, TMAOH (tetramethylammonium hydroxide), and CTMAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), in Aquadest as a solvent. This process was carried out within 12 h of aging time at 100 ℃ in a teflon-lined stainless steel autoclave. The solid phase was filtered, then washed with distilled water, and dried in an oven at 80 ℃ for 24 h. The surfactant CTMAB was removed by calcination at 540 ℃ for 6 h using heating rate of 2 ℃/min. The as-synthesized and calcined powder was characterized by using FTIR (frontier transform infra red spectroscopy), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) methods. The product of AIMCM-41 was then converted into H-AIMCM-41 by ion exchanged in 0.5 M of NHaCI solution followed by filtration, drying at 80 ℃ for 24 h, and calcination at 540 ℃. The product of catalyst was used for catalytic conversion of PO (palm oil) to biogasoline in a fixed bed reactor at 200-400 ℃, under atmospheric pressure, and ratio of PO to catalyst was 200. The product of cracking was then distilled at 60 ℃ and analyzed using GC-MS (gas liquid chromatography - mass spectrometry) method. Result of the works shows that the catalyst had 4.49 nm of lattice parameter, and the cracking of PO gave 56.6% conversions with 29.4% selectivity to biogasoline like fraction.
文摘Machining is a mechanical process where excess material from a work is removed to produce a product. At the moment different ferrous, non-ferrous materials and industrial blue wax have been used for prototype models. However such materials is very expensive. Hence an attempt is made to substitute these materials by the palm oil based bio-wax produced in Malaysia. In this research, the authors will analyze and investigate whether there is a possibility to use the palm oil based bio-wax material to substitute with the petroleum based industrial-wax. Experimental analyses are carried out to investigate the capability and the strength of the palm oil based bio-wax material. The matrix blends were prepared of fatty acids from oleo-chemicals, palm oil wax, natural ash fibre and low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE) by stirring and melt-mixing. Sample b!ends are machined with lathe machining process. The sample blends showed there was no built edge formation and good smooth surface production.
基金supported by a generous and unbiased grant from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board,Bandar Baru Bangi,43000 Kajang,Selangor,Malaysia
文摘BACKGROUND: A large amount of endotoxin can be detected in the peripheral venous blood of patients with liver cirrhosis, contributing to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity because of its role in oxidative stress. The present study aimed to test the effect of the supplementation with red palm oil(RPO), which is a natural oil obtained from oil palm fruit(Elaeis guineensis) rich in natural fat-soluble tocopherols, tocotrienols and carotenoids, on lipid peroxidation and endotoxemia with plasma endotoxin-inactivating capacity, proinflammatory cytokines profile, and monocyte tissue factor in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: The study group consisted of sixty patients(34 males and 26 females; mean age 62 years, range 54-75) with Child A/B, genotype 1 HCV-related cirrhosis without a history of ethanol consumption, randomly enrolled into an 8-week oral daily treatment with either vitamin E or RPO. All patients had undergone an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy 8 months before, and 13 out of them showed esophageal varices.RESULTS: Both treatments significantly decreased erythrocyte malondialdehyde and urinary isoprostane output, only RPO significantly affected macrophage-colony stimulating factor and monocyte tissue factor. Liver ultrasound imaging did not show any change. CONCLUSIONS: RPO beneficially modulates oxidative stress and, not least, downregulates macrophage/monocyte inflammatory parameters. RPO can be safely advised as a valuable nutritional implementation tool in the management of chronic liver diseases.
文摘Since the late 1950’s, the Malaysian human population has nearly quadrupled, increasing pressure on natural resource exploitation to meet domestic needs and to earn foreign exchange from exports. Global demand for Malaysian palm oil in particular had steeply increased since the mid-1970s and by 2013, the commodity was the leading foreign exchange earner. To fulfill and sustain this demand, the country’s economy has steadily shifted bias towards production and associated value addition of palm oil products for export. However, as a consequence, many of Malaysia’s natural tropical forests have been converted to palm oil farming resulting in loss of approximately 10,000 km2 of forest cover over the past twenty-five years, and biodiversity has been displaced or lost. To provide a deeper insight into the interplay amongst key interrelated environmental and socio-economic variables, and a forecast of possible future balance, we used a systems dynamism modeling tool, STELLAR (structural thinking, experiential learning laboratory with animation), to simulate and project how Malaysia could achieve a medium-term sustainable balance or optimization between palm oil production and forest conservation without compromising on human social welfare. The model consisted of four main modules (environmental, economic, social development and human welfare) each with component parameters, and interconnected by input and output loops. Model calibrations, testing and preruns involved existing official 30-year time-series datasets. Subsequently, four scenarios: Environmental conservation;Economic growth under increased global palm oil demand;Economy decline under decreased palm oil demand;and Control condition with little or no change, were selected for simulated projections of future possibilities. Simulation results showed that scenarios and variable interactions that reduce environmental damage would offer the best chance for optimizing the palm oil economy while also minimizing forest loss and promoting citizen social welfare.