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Bioresource Technology Jun 2024Inorganic elements in palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) are problematic in boiler operation, causing slagging and fouling deposits. The first pilot-scale hydrothermal...
Inorganic elements in palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) are problematic in boiler operation, causing slagging and fouling deposits. The first pilot-scale hydrothermal treatment (HTT) system was commenced in a palm oil mill to remove undesirable elements. Fuel properties, combustion behavior, and fouling deposition of HTT-EFB were investigated. Liquid temperatures and treatment times in the HTT system significantly altered EFB-fuel properties. At ≥ 60 °C, potassium removals of at least 78 % were achieved, generating EFB-fuel containing potassium below 0.5 %wt. Later, a series of EFB combustion experiments were conducted in a specially designed fixed-bed reactor to simulate the tube surface of industrial boilers. Fouling deposition from HTT-EFB combustion reduced to below half of untreated EFB at all HTT conditions and combustion temperatures studied. The deposit-to-fuel ratio of HTT-EFB combusted at 1,000 °C was 37.3 % lower than untreated EFB combusted at a typical EFB boiler at 800 °C. Results demonstrated great potential for HTT-EFB in industrial applications.
PubMed: 38879052
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130969 -
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Jun 2024A serene and pollution-free environment is the desire of the United Nations through its Sustainable Development Goal 11. This research was designed to explore various...
A serene and pollution-free environment is the desire of the United Nations through its Sustainable Development Goal 11. This research was designed to explore various human endeavours that drive pollution in urban environs in the developing countries with Iwo, Nigeria, as a case study. Out of the four hundred and fifty (450) respondents that were randomly selected, 410 copies of structured questionnaire were completed and returned for analysis. Descriptive and inferential analytical methods were adopted for the purpose data analysis. Of all the respondents, 69.5% were females, and 95.1% were between the ages of 18 and 65 years, while 85.3% of the respondents have a minimum of secondary education. The dataset was further subjected to KMO and Bartlett's Test, the results which showed that the data is factorable with 68% at confidence level of p ≤ 0.05. Factor analysis extracted 7 variables out of the 21 variables analysed. The identified and extracted variables explained 87.745% of the variance explained by the extracted factors and their respective explanation variance are as follows: (i) palm oil activities in urban centres (20.521%); (ii) food vending outlets (14.153%); (iii) individual households within cities (13.786%); (iv) activities in the slaughter slabs and houses (11.384%); (v) auto repair workshops (9.812%); (vi) unplanned refuse dumpsites (9.571%); and (vii) in-urban free-range keeping of animals (8.745%). This research should give further insights to stakeholders, especially the policy makers in urban planning on subduing the challenges of unabated urban degradation in developing nations if human comfort and sustainability will be enhanced and that SDG 11 will be a reality come 2030.
Topics: Humans; Nigeria; Developing Countries; Cities; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Adolescent; Male; Young Adult; Environmental Pollution; Aged; Environmental Monitoring
PubMed: 38878172
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12772-2 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta.... Jun 2024Liver phospholipid fatty acid composition depends on the dietary lipid intake and the efficiency of hepatic enzymatic activity. Our study aimed to simultaneously...
Liver phospholipid fatty acid composition depends on the dietary lipid intake and the efficiency of hepatic enzymatic activity. Our study aimed to simultaneously investigate the liver phospholipid fatty acid composition in response to chronic linseed, palm, or sunflower oil diets. We used adult female C57/BL6 mice and randomly divided them into control and three groups treated with 25 % dietary oils. Prior to treatment, we analyzed the fatty acid profiles in dietary oils and hepatocytes and, after 100 days, the fatty acid composition in the liver using gas-liquid chromatography. Linseed oil treatment elevated alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic, and docosapentaenoic acids and reduced arachidonic and docosatetraenoic acids, consequently lowering the n-6/n-3 ratio. Palm oil treatment increased linoleic acid and decreased docosahexaenoic acid, contributing to an elevated n-6/n-3 ratio. Sunflower oil treatment elevated total monounsaturated fatty acids by increasing palmitoleic, oleic, and vaccenic acids. The estimated activity of Δ9 desaturase was significantly elevated in the sunflower oil group, while Δ5 desaturase was the highest, and Δ6 desaturase was the lowest after the linseed oil diet. Our findings demonstrate that chronic consumption of linseed, palm, or sunflower oil alters the distribution of liver phospholipid fatty acids differently. Sunflower oil diet elevated total monounsaturated fatty acids, proposing potential benefits for liver tissue health. Considering these outcomes, a substantial recommendation emerges to elevate linseed oil intake, recognized as the principal ALA source, thereby aiding in reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio. Moreover, modifying dietary habits to incorporate specific vegetable oils in daily consumption could substantially enhance overall health.
PubMed: 38871115
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2024.159526 -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Jun 2024Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable, renewable substrate for the synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), an ecofriendly biopolymer. In this study, bacterial strain...
Lignocellulosic biomass is a valuable, renewable substrate for the synthesis of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), an ecofriendly biopolymer. In this study, bacterial strain E5-3 was isolated from soil in Japan; it was identified as Burkholderia ambifaria strain E5-3 by 16 S rRNA gene sequencing. The strain showed optimal growth at 37 °C with an initial pH of 9. It demonstrated diverse metabolic ability, processing a broad range of carbon substrates, including xylose, glucose, sucrose, glycerol, cellobiose, and, notably, palm oil. Palm oil induced the highest cellular growth, with a PHB content of 65% wt. The strain exhibited inherent tolerance to potential fermentation inhibitors derived from lignocellulosic hydrolysate, withstanding 3 g/L 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and 1.25 g/L acetic acid. Employing a fed-batch fermentation strategy with a combination of glucose, xylose, and cellobiose resulted in PHB production 2.7-times that in traditional batch fermentation. The use of oil palm trunk hydrolysate, without inhibitor pretreatment, in a fed-batch fermentation setup led to significant cell growth with a PHB content of 45% wt, equivalent to 10 g/L. The physicochemical attributes of xylose-derived PHB produced by strain E5-3 included a molecular weight of 722 kDa, a number-average molecular weight of 191 kDa, and a polydispersity index of 3.78. The amorphous structure of this PHB displayed a glass transition temperature of 4.59 °C, while its crystalline counterpart had a melting point of 171.03 °C. This research highlights the potential of lignocellulosic feedstocks, especially oil palm trunk hydrolysate, for PHB production through fed-batch fermentation by B. ambifaria strain E5-3, which has high inhibitor tolerance.
Topics: Lignin; Biomass; Palm Oil; Fermentation; Hydroxybutyrates; Burkholderia; Xylose; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Soil Microbiology; Glucose; Polyesters; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Furaldehyde; Cellobiose
PubMed: 38869634
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04041-8 -
Food & Function Jul 2024Red palm oil, a natural repository abundant in tocotrienols, tocopherols and carotenoids, is frequently employed as a pigment and nutritional enhancer in food products.... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Red palm oil, a natural repository abundant in tocotrienols, tocopherols and carotenoids, is frequently employed as a pigment and nutritional enhancer in food products. The principal aim of this study is to explore the disparities in vitamin A levels, fatty acid profiles and gut microbiota among healthy adults who consume carotenoid-enriched eggs compared to those who consume normal eggs. A total of 200 hens were randomly assigned to either the red palm oil group or the soybean oil group, with the objective of producing carotenoid-enriched eggs and normal eggs. Throughout a six-month, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, participants were instructed to consume one carotenoid-enriched or normal egg daily at a fixed time. Fecal and blood samples were collected from the participants at the start and conclusion of the six-month intervention period for further analysis. Our findings indicated that there was no significant change in the vitamin A level for daily supplementation with one carotenoid-enriched egg, but there were significant changes in some indicators of fatty acid profiles and gut microbiota compared to the control group of the population. Nonetheless, the consumption of eggs, regardless of carotenoid-enriched eggs or normal eggs, positively influenced dietary habits by reducing the intake of saturated fatty acids and enhancing the intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids of the population.
Topics: Eggs; Carotenoids; Humans; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Animals; Chickens; Adult; Double-Blind Method; Vitamin A; Male; Fatty Acids; Middle Aged; Feces; Food, Fortified; Palm Oil; Young Adult
PubMed: 38864191
DOI: 10.1039/d4fo00910j -
World Journal of Microbiology &... Jun 2024Anaerobic digestion (AD) emerges as a pivotal technique in climate change mitigation, transforming organic materials into biogas, a renewable energy form. This process...
Anaerobic digestion (AD) emerges as a pivotal technique in climate change mitigation, transforming organic materials into biogas, a renewable energy form. This process significantly impacts energy production and waste management, influencing greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional research has largely focused on anaerobic bacteria and methanogens for methane production. However, the potential of anaerobic lignocellulolytic fungi for degrading lignocellulosic biomass remains less explored. In this study, buffalo rumen inocula were enriched and acclimatized to improve lignocellulolytic hydrolysis activity. Two consortia were established: the anaerobic fungi consortium (AFC), selectively enriched for fungi, and the anaerobic lignocellulolytic microbial consortium (ALMC). The consortia were utilized to create five distinct microbial cocktails-AF0, AF20, AF50, AF80, and AF100. These cocktails were formulated based on varying of AFC and ALMC by weights (w/w). Methane production from each cocktail of lignocellulosic biomasses (cassava pulp and oil palm residues) was evaluated. The highest methane yields of CP, EFB, and MFB were obtained at 337, 215, and 54 mL/g VS, respectively. Cocktails containing a mix of anaerobic fungi, hydrolytic bacteria (Sphingobacterium sp.), syntrophic bacteria (Sphaerochaeta sp.), and hydrogenotrophic methanogens produced 2.1-2.6 times higher methane in cassava pulp and 1.1-1.2 times in oil palm empty fruit bunch compared to AF0. All cocktails effectively produced methane from oil palm empty fruit bunch due to its lipid content. However, methane production ceased after 3 days when oil palm mesocarp fiber was used, due to long-chain fatty acid accumulation. Anaerobic fungi consortia showed effective lignocellulosic and starchy biomass degradation without inhibition due to organic acid accumulation. These findings underscore the potential of tailored microbial cocktails for enhancing methane production from diverse lignocellulosic substrates.
Topics: Methane; Anaerobiosis; Lignin; Fungi; Microbial Consortia; Animals; Biomass; Rumen; Biofuels; Hydrolysis; Fermentation; Bacteria; Industrial Waste; Agriculture
PubMed: 38862848
DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04050-7 -
ACS Omega Jun 2024Bioenergy is predicted to significantly contribute to the global energy needs of both developed and developing economies. Co-pyrolysis of halophytes offers a solution...
Bioenergy is predicted to significantly contribute to the global energy needs of both developed and developing economies. Co-pyrolysis of halophytes offers a solution for a sustainable supply of feedstock in coastal and water-scarce regions. This novel research introduces an experimental investigation of co-pyrolysis of saline-tolerant flora (date palm waste and ) to address sustainable waste management, bioenergy production, and efficient resource utilization in xeric regions. To examine the impact of the thermic condition on the pyrolysis products (bio-oil, biochar, and gas), the experiments have been conducted at three different temperatures (400, 500, and 600 °C). This pioneering study revealed that the co-feed bio-oil is acidic (pH 3.76-4.39) and has a high energy content (HHV 32.29-36.29 MJ/kg) that surpasses most woody biomass. The produced biochar was chemically stable, high in ash (40.09-47.62 wt %), high in fixed carbon (30.12-38.12 wt %), highly alkaline (pH 9.37-10.69), and low in HHV (16.30-17.2 MJ/kg). Increased pyrolysis temperature enhances biochar stability and fixed carbon, thus benefiting long-term carbon sequestration if applied in the soil. However, due to its high alkalinity, the application of this biochar in naturally alkaline sandy soils, such as in coastal deserts, requires careful monitoring. The hydrogen content in the gaseous phase significantly improves with rising temperature, reaching HHV = 24.12 MJ/kg at 600 °C, due to the enhanced ash catalytic effect. Overall, this study constitutes an important contribution to advancing bioenergy, sustainable feedstock, carbon capture, and waste management strategies in drought-prone areas.
PubMed: 38854508
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02972 -
PloS One 2024This research presents a comprehensive study of sequential oxidative extraction (SOE) consisting of alkaline and acidic oxidation processes to extract nanocellulose from...
This research presents a comprehensive study of sequential oxidative extraction (SOE) consisting of alkaline and acidic oxidation processes to extract nanocellulose from plant biomass. This proposed process is advantageous as its operation requires a minimum process with mild solvents, and yet successfully isolated high-quality nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from raw OPEFB. The SOE involved ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH, 2.6 M) and formic acid (HCOOH, 5.3 M) catalyzed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 3.2 M). This approach was used to efficiently solubilize the lignin and hemicellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) at the temperature of 100°C and 1 h extraction time, which managed to retain fibrous NFC. The extracted solid and liquor at each stage were studied extensively through physiochemical analysis. The finding indicated that approximately 75.3%dwb of hemicellulose, 68.9%dwb of lignin, and 42.0%dwb of extractive were solubilized in the first SOE cycle, while the second SOE cycle resulted in 92.3%dwb, 99.6%dwb and 99.8%dwb of solubilized hemicellulose, lignin, and extractive/ash, respectively. High-quality NFC (75.52%dwb) was obtained for the final extracted solid with 76.4% crystallinity, which is near the crystallinity of standard commercial NFC. The proposed process possesses an effective synergy in producing NFC from raw OPEFB with less cellulose degradation, and most of the degraded hemicellulose and lignin are solubilized in the liquor.
Topics: Cellulose; Fruit; Oxidation-Reduction; Arecaceae; Lignin; Nanofibers; Palm Oil; Polysaccharides; Hydrogen Peroxide
PubMed: 38843202
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299312 -
Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences... Apr 2024<b>Background and Objective:</b> The prioritisation of oil palm studies involves the exploration of novel bacterial isolates as possible agents for...
<b>Background and Objective:</b> The prioritisation of oil palm studies involves the exploration of novel bacterial isolates as possible agents for suppressing <i>Ganoderma boninense</i>. The objective of this study was to evaluate and characterise the potential of rhizospheric bacteria, obtained from the rhizosphere of oil palm plants, in terms of their ability to demonstrate anti-<i>Ganoderma </i>activity. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study began by employing a dual culture technique to select hostile bacteria. Qualitative detection was performed to assess the antifungal activity, as well as the synthesis of chitinase and glucanase, from certain isolates. The candidate strains were molecularly identified using 16S-rRNA ribosomal primers, specifically the 27F and 1492R primers. <b>Results:</b> The findings of the study indicated that the governmental plantation exhibited the highest ratio between diazotroph and indigenous bacterial populations in comparison to the other sites. Out of a pool of ninety bacterial isolates, a subset of twenty-one isolates demonstrated the ability to impede the development of <i>G. boninense</i>, as determined using a dual culture experiment. Twenty-one bacterial strains were found to exhibit antifungal activity. Nine possible bacteria were found based on the sequence analysis. These bacteria include <i>Burkholderia territorii</i> (RK2, RP2, RP3, RP5), <i>Burkholderia stagnalis</i> (RK3), <i>Burkholderia cenocepacia</i> (RP1), <i>Serratia marcescens</i> (RP13) and <i>Rhizobium multihospitium</i> (RU4). <b>Conclusion:</b> The findings of the study revealed that a significant proportion of the bacterial population exhibited the ability to perform nitrogen fixation, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and phosphate solubilization. However, it is worth noting that <i>Rhizobium multihospitium</i> RU4 did not demonstrate the capacity for phosphate solubilization, while <i>B. territory</i> RK2 did not exhibit IAA production.
Topics: Ganoderma; Rhizosphere; Biological Control Agents; Bioprospecting; Soil Microbiology; Bacteria; Arecaceae; Plant Development; Palm Oil; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38840466
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2024.256.267 -
Journal of Environmental Quality Jun 2024Biochar produced from lignocellulosic biomass offers an opportunity to recycle waste into a valuable soil amendment. The application of biochar has been proposed to...
Biochar produced from lignocellulosic biomass offers an opportunity to recycle waste into a valuable soil amendment. The application of biochar has been proposed to mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon in the soil. However, the field impact of biochar treatment on the cellulolytic microbial populations involved in the earlier steps of cellulose degradation is poorly understood. A field trial spanning three consecutive crop cycles of Zea mays was conducted in a degraded tropical Ultisol of Peninsular Malaysia. The soil was amended with two contrasting biochar made from oil palm kernel shells (pyrolyzed at 400°C) and rice husks (gasified at 800°C) with or without fertilizer supplementation. Soil samples were taken at each harvesting stage and analyzed for total organic carbon, labile active organic carbon, total cellulase, and β-glucosidase. Microbial glycoside hydrolase family 6 (GH6) cellulase genes and transcripts, involved in the early steps of cellulose degradation, were quantified from the extracted soil deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA), respectively. Total organic carbon, labile active organic carbon, and β-glucosidase activity were significantly increased, while no effect on total cellulase activity was found. Both biochars stimulated the total population (DNA-derived) abundance of soil microorganisms harboring the GH6 cellulase genes. The biochar amendment did not affect the active population (RNA-derived) of the GH6 cellulolytic community, showing no significant changes in transcript expression. This indirectly corroborates the role of biochar as a potential carbon sequester in the soil.
PubMed: 38840421
DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20588