Search Results (110)

A palm oil company based in Bangka is actively expanding its operations in the palm oil processing industry. The company specializes in producing crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel, with its production process encompassing five key stages: weighing, sterilization, threshing, pressing, and clarification. Oil loss, especially at the pressing station, is one of the company’s biggest problems. Nuts, fibers, empty bunches, and effluent are some of the sources of oil loss in CPO production. Since extreme losses that exceed set norms can cause serious inefficiencies and financial repercussions, it is imperative that the organization identifies and mitigates the underlying causes of oil loss. One option that the business could use is the fault tree analysis (FTA) method, which offers a methodical way to pinpoint the root causes of production inefficiencies to solve this problem. According to current assessments, empty bunches caused the largest average oil loss over a one-month period, with a loss rate of 0.11%. Oil loss at the pressing station is caused by a number of factors, such as inadequate maintenance practices, non-compliance with established work procedures, suboptimal ripeness levels of harvested palm fruit, and operator neglect in maintaining optimal machine pressure in accordance with company standards. To reduce oil loss in the production process and increase efficiency, these concerns need to be addressed. Full article

While the role of expanding agriculture in deforestation and the loss of other natural ecosystems is well known, the specific drivers in the context of small- and large-scale agriculture remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed satellite data and a deep learning algorithm to map the agricultural landscape of Central Africa (Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon) into large- (including for plantations and intensively cultivated areas) and small-scale tree crops and non-tree crop cover. This permits the assessment of forest loss between the years 2000 and 2022 as a result of small- and large-scale agriculture. Thematic [user’s] accuracy ranged between 91.2 ± 2.5 percent (large-scale oil palm) and 17.8 ± 3.9 percent (large-scale non-tree crops). Small-scale tree crops achieved relatively low accuracy (63.5 ± 5.9 percent), highlighting the difficulties of reliably mapping crop types at a regional scale. In general, we observed that small-scale agriculture is fifteen times the size of large-scale agriculture, as area estimates of small-scale non-tree crops and small-scale tree crops ranged between 164,823 ± 4224 km² and 293,249 ± 12,695 km², respectively. Large-scale non-tree crops and large-scale tree crops ranged between 20,153 ± 1195 km² and 7436 ± 280 km², respectively. Small-scale cropping activities represent 12 percent of the total land cover and have led to dramatic encroachment into tropical moist forests in the past two decades in all six countries. We summarized key recommendations to help the forest conservation effort of existing policy frameworks. Full article

Longer inflorescence stalks in oil palm enhance harvesting efficiency and reduce labor costs. However, the research on this topic is limited. This study aimed to investigate the differences in stalk lengths between male and female inflorescences in Tenera oil palm and to elucidate the underlying hormonal and transcriptomic mechanisms. The stalk lengths from inflorescences associated with the fourth to eighteenth leaf positions of Tenera oil palm trees were measured, and hormone profiling and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) were conducted in immature (F4 and M5) and mature (F14 and M13) stalks from an individual tree. The male stalks were significantly longer than the female stalks since the thirteenth inflorescences and the differences increased with maturation. The elevated levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in both immature and mature male stalks suggested auxin’s critical role in promoting stalk elongation. In M13, we identified the upregulated auxin influx carrier LAX2, Gibberellic Acid-Stimulated Arabidopsis 6 (GASA6), and SMALL AUXIN UP RNA (SAUR) genes, indicating enhanced auxin accumulation, signaling, and response. Moreover, the auxin response factor (ARF11) was upregulated, linking auxin transport to gene activation for cell elongation. Conversely, in F14, higher levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and the expression of ABA receptor PYL3 and gibberellin 2-beta-dioxygenase 8 GA2ox8, which may inhibit stalk elongation, were identified. The results suggested that LAX2-mediated IAA accumulation activates ARF11 and SAURs, promoting stalk elongation, with GASA6 possibly acting as a downstream modulator. This study provides insights into the hormonal and genetic regulators of stalk elongation in oil palm and may guide breeding strategies for oil palm varieties with longer stalks of female inflorescences, thereby enhancing harvesting efficiency. Full article

The demand for palm oil is expected to increase due to its wide use in the market. Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of the African palm tree, yielding crude palm oil (CPO) and palm kernel oil (PKO). The production process involves multiple stages, from harvesting to drying; while the problem lies in the scarcity of fresh fruit bunches and the lack of diagnosis of the process. This study proposes to carry out a WEP (Water–Energy–Product) technical assessment to optimize the use of water, energy, and raw materials in the production of CPO, calculating a series of technical parameters and indicators and determining the latter’s efficiency. The results showed that for a processing capacity of 30,000 kg/h of African palm bunches, 5070 kg/h of CPO were obtained, reaching a production yield of 69.63%, a wastewater production ratio (WPR) of 58.64 %, a fractional water consumption (FWC) of 2.38 m³/t of CPO, a total cost of freshwater (TCF) of 347.33 USD/day, a total cost of energy (TCE) of 13,235.95 USD/day, an energy-specific intensity (ESI) of 4905.66 MJ/t of CPO, a natural gas consumption index (NGCI) of 103,421.65 m³/t of CPO, an electric energy consumption index (EECI) of 165.67 kWh/t of CPO, and a net energy ratio (NER) and energy utilization index (ECI) of 165.67 kWh/t of CPO. The EUI is higher than 1. Additionally, five indicators showed an efficiency higher than 80%, highlighting the energy indicators (TCE, NGCI, and EECI), which reached the highest efficiency (95.45%) due to the predominant use of natural gas, and the water indicators (FWC and TCF), which reached 92.90% and 88.12%, respectively. Finally, improvements are required in the WPR (41.36%) and the ESI (78.13%), which merit optimization techniques using mass and energy integration, respectively. Full article

Floods, as a form of disaster, significantly affect individuals and farmers in impacted areas, particularly through crop damage and the inability to harvest due to prolonged and extensive flooding. Among the most severely affected agricultural sectors are oil palm plantations, which regularly experience such disruptions annually. Current methods of assistance and relief during flooding rely on field surveys conducted manually by personnel, a process constrained by its time-intensive nature. Moreover, existing applications or platforms do not support the classification and inspection of oil palm plantations affected by floods during harvesting. This research aims to develop a method and application for inspecting oil palm plantations impacted by floods during harvesting. The approach utilizes deep learning and geographic information systems (GIS) to classify and analyze flood-affected areas and determine the ripeness of oil palm bunches on trees, enabling accurate and rapid identification of flood-affected areas. The study results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a flood classification accuracy ranging from 96.80% to 98.29% and ripeness classification accuracy for oil palm bunches on trees ranging from 97.60% to 99.75%. These findings indicate that the proposed model effectively and efficiently monitors flood-affected areas. Additionally, the developed application serves as a valuable tool for flood management, facilitating timely assistance and relief for farmers impacted by flooding. Full article

Oryctes monoceros (Olivier, 1789) (Scarabaeidae) and Rhynchophorus phoenicis (Fabricius, 1801) (Curculionidae) are two insects generally known as formidable pests of oil palms and coconuts trees. Although little known, different developmental stages of these insects are consumed. The aim of this study is to determine the composition of these adult Coleopteran species in order to promote their consumption as a strategy for enhancing food security. Chemical analyses were carried out on adults of both species. Samples of O. monoceros and R. phoenicis were collected in three localities in Togo. The ash, protein, vitamin, and lipid contents were determined according to the AOAC reference methods. The fiber contents were obtained by the method of Weende. The minerals and heavy metals were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and colorimetry. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The results showed the average protein content ranges from 44.32 ± 0.83 to 45.89 ± 0.83%. The lipid level is between 15.06 ± 0.28% and 14.64 ± 0.54. Their lipids contain unsaturated fatty acids, notably oleic (40.84 ± 0.112 vs. 40.84 ± 0.11%), linoleic (4.49 ± 0.00 vs. 5.07 ± 0.02%), and α-linolenic (5.07 ± 0.02 vs. 6.35 ± 0.01%) acid. They are excellent sources of minerals and vitamins. They are also free of heavy metals. These species could, therefore, contribute to the nutritional balance of consumers. They deserve to be better promoted for human consumption, as they could make a significant contribution to the fight against malnutrition and constitute a novel food source. Full article

Harvesting is a serious issue in oil palm plantations after 15–20 years owing to the increased height of the trees (>9 m). The slow vertical growth of the oil palm dura genotypes is desired for increasing the D × P progenies’ productivity and economic life span upto ten years. A reduced height increment has a long-term impact on harvesting costs. The current study assessed 308 genotypes generated from African germplasm. Over a three year period, the biometric properties of eleven D × D crosses were evaluated in order to quantify genetic parameters and phenotypic correlations, and principal component analysis was performed for genetic attributes of the better-performing dwarf progenies in terms of yield. The evaluated genotypes have a highly significant influence (p < 0.01) on the majority of characteristics. The progenies yielded between 165 and 208 kg of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) per palm every year. The height increment (HI) varied between 17% and 19%, with an overall average of 18%. Genotypes G8, G300, and G221 had the lowest yearly height increments, measuring 28.98, 29.19, and 30.87 cm, respectively. The outcome of the present study shows that they are slow-height-increment genotypes with a high FFB yield (>25 T/Ha). The creation of dura parents with a slow height increment in combination with a high bunch weight helps for prolonging the productive life of the palm to more than 35 years, adding value to obtain distinct oil palm varieties. Overall, this targeted breeding effort towards developing dwarf oil palm hybrids reflects a strategic approach to addressing specific challenges in oil palm cultivation, ultimately helping to promote the oil palm sector globally. Full article

Recent advancements highlight the utilization of vegetable oils as additives in polymeric materials, particularly for replacing conventional plasticizers. Buriti oil (BO), extracted from the Amazon’s Mauritia flexuosa palm tree fruit, boasts an impressive profile of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carotenoids, and tocopherol. This study investigates the impact of incorporating buriti oil as a plasticizer in linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) matrices. The aim of this research was to evaluate how buriti oil, a bioactive compound, influences the thermal and rheological properties of LLDPE. Buriti oil/LLDPE compositions were prepared via melt intercalation techniques, and the resulting materials were characterized through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical property testing, and contact angle measurement. The addition of buriti oil was found to act as a processing aid and plasticizer, enhancing the fluidity of LLDPE polymer chains. TGA revealed distinct thermal stabilities for buriti oil/LLDPE under different degradation conditions. Notably, buriti oil exhibited an initial weight loss temperature of 402 °C, whereas that of LLDPE was 466.4 °C. This indicated a minor reduction in the thermal stability of buriti oil/LLDPE compositions. The thermal stability, as observed through DSC, displayed a nuanced response to the oil’s incorporation, suggesting a complex interaction between the oil and polymer matrix. Detailed mechanical testing indicated a marked increase in tensile strength and elongation at break, especially at optimal concentrations of buriti oil. SEM analysis showcased a more uniform and less brittle microstructure, correlating with the enhanced mechanical properties. Contact angle measurements revealed a notable shift in surface hydrophobicity, indicating a change in the surface chemistry. This study demonstrates that buriti oil can positively influence the processability and thermal properties of LLDPE, thus expanding its potential applications as an effective plasticizer. Full article

The environmental impact of peat extraction in plant nurseries requires urgent attention due to climate change and habitat destruction. Substituting peat moss with compost derived from palm oil waste in oil palm nurseries presents a viable solution. However, the challenges in its implementation must be considered. This research focuses on optimizing composting conditions for palm oil waste and examines the impact of the compost on soil quality, nutrient availability, and seedling growth. Measurements such as the culling rate, plant height, leaf length, and chlorophyll content were taken to assess seedling growth in nurseries. The compost was also tested as a soil amendment for 5-year-old palm trees, with foliar analysis conducted to evaluate the nutrient assimilation. The results show that optimized compost significantly enhanced the seedling growth by 20–50%, evidenced by the increased plant height, longer leaf length, and higher chlorophyll content. Additionally, the foliar analysis demonstrated an improvement of 5–15% in the nutrient assimilation in the 5-year-old palm trees. This research highlights the potential of optimizing oil palm waste composting for sustainable planting media in nurseries, mitigating environmental impacts and promoting productivity in oil palm plantations. Adopting this circular economy model can address waste management challenges while ensuring a resilient and sustainable approach in the palm oil industry. Full article

As the world’s second-largest palm oil producer, Malaysia heavily depends on its extensive oil palm cultivation, which accounts for nearly 90% of the country’s lignocellulosic biomass waste. Approximately 20–22 tonnes of empty fruit bunches (EFBs) can be derived from an initial yield of 100 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) from oil palm trees. The average annual amount of EFBs produced in Johor is 3233 tonnes per day. Recognising that urban areas contribute significantly to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and to support Malaysia’s transition from fossil fuel-based energy to a low-carbon energy system, this research employed HOMER Pro software 3.18.3 to develop an optimal hybrid renewable energy system integrating solar and biomass (EFB) energy sources in Johor, Malaysia. The most cost-effective system (solar–biomass) consists of 4075 kW solar photovoltaics, a 2100 kW biomass gasifier, 9363 battery units and 1939 kW converters. This configuration results in a total net present cost (NPC) of USD 44,596,990 and a levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of USD 0.2364/kWh. This system satisfies the residential load demand via 6,020,427 kWh (64.7%) of solar-based and 3,286,257 kWh (35.3%) of biomass-based electricity production, with an annual surplus of 2,613,329 kWh (28.1%). The minimal percentages of unmet electric load and capacity shortage, both <0.1%, indicate that all systems can meet the power demand. In conclusion, this research provides valuable insights into the economic viability and technical feasibility of powering the Kulai district with a solar–biomass system. Full article

Palm oil, derived from Elaeis guineensis, is a critical component of the global edible oil and industrial fat market. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the sustainability of the palm oil chain, focusing on industrial applications, environmental implications, and economic sustainability. The processing of palm oil, from fruit pulp to refined oil, is detailed, highlighting the importance of refining in maintaining quality and extending application ranges. While palm oil offers health benefits because of its rich fatty acid composition and antioxidant properties, its production poses significant environmental challenges. This review underscores ongoing efforts to balance technological and culinary demands with environmental stewardship and sustainable economic growth. Emerging trends, including interspecific hybrids such as E. guineensis and E. oleifera, are discussed for their potential to increase sustainability and productivity. Full article

Sustainable water management is a key approach for enhancing the productivity of oil palm trees while addressing the impacts of climate change and variability. Determining the water needs of a crop is crucial for the appropriate application of water. This research was carried out in two plantations in Agustín Codazzi, Colombia, using a completely randomized design. This study involved examining the impacts of five different water conditions (50, 150, 300, 450, and 600 L per day) on the growth and yields of mature oil palm trees (aged 10–17 years), and their water consumption was calculated using the water balance method. The results indicated that the crop was negatively affected by daily water applications of 300, 150, and 50 L per day, showing statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) when compared to the 450 and 600 L per day treatments, particularly in terms of leaf emergence, leaf area index, and yield (tons per hectare). The 50 L per day treatment resulted in the most substantial decrease in yield (around 26%), primarily attributed to a reduction in the number of bunches. The most favorable crop responses were observed with water applications of 450 and 600 L per day, aligning with the crop’s potential evapotranspiration values (ranging between 5.4 and 5.7 mm per day) and yielding crop coefficients of 0.88 and 0.9, respectively. Notably, these values varied between dry and rainy seasons, peaking between December and March. Full article

Carbon sequestration by photosynthetic organisms is the principal mechanism for the absorption of atmospheric CO₂. Since the 1950s, however, the global carbon cycle has been distorted as increased anthropogenic CO₂ emissions have greatly outstripped rates of carbon sequestration, with a 50% increase in atmospheric CO₂ levels in less than a century, leading to perturbation of global climate systems and threatening food production and social stability. In order to address the current imbalance in CO₂ flux, it is important to both reduce net emissions and promote sequestration. To address the latter issue, we need to better understand the roles of systems, such as natural forests, coastal wetlands, and tropical croplands, in carbon sequestration and devise strategies to facilitate net CO₂ uptake. Carbon sequestration by tropical trees and crops already removes in excess of 1000 million tonnes of atmospheric CO₂ annually but is threatened by anthropogenic activities such as deforestation and the drainage of carbon-rich peatland. Improvements in carbon sequestration can be achieved by policies such as growing tropical crops as part of agroforestry systems, enforcing limitations on deforestation and the use of peatland, and auditing the carbon impact of major cropping systems in order to focus on those crops that deliver both high yields and carbon efficiency. As an initial step in this process, a detailed case study is presented on the tropical tree crop, the African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis. This analysis includes a comparison of the carbon sequestration potential of oil palm with that of tropical forests and other oil crops, the biomass sequestration potential of oil palm and current and future strategies aimed at achieving net-zero carbon targets for oil palm and related crops. Full article

Attalea phalerata Martius ex Spreng is a palm tree that is widely distributed in the Central-West region of Brazil. In this study, we investigated whether the oil-loaded nanocapsules of A. phalerata (APON) have acute and long-lasting antihypertensive effects in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), as well as explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. APON was prepared using the interfacial polymer deposition method. The particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential were investigated using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering. The antihypertensive effects of APON (administered at doses of 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) were evaluated after acute intraduodenal administration and after 7 days of oral treatment. To investigate the molecular pathways involved, we used pharmacological antagonists and inhibitors that target prostaglandin/cyclic adenosine monophosphate, nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and potassium channels. Both acute and prolonged administration of APON (at doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg) resulted in a significant reduction in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressure. Prior treatment with a non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), guanylyl cyclase inhibitor (methylene blue), or non-selective calcium-sensitive K⁺ channel blocker (tetraethylammonium) abolished the antihypertensive effects of APON. Our study showed that A. phalerata oil-loaded nanocapsules have a significant antihypertensive effect in SHR after both short-term and long-term (7-day) use. This effect seems to rely on the vascular endothelium function and involves the NO-cGMP-K⁺ channel pathway. This research suggests a new direction for future studies to definitively prove the therapeutic benefits of APON in treating cardiovascular disease. Full article

Oil palm cultivation thrives as a prominent agricultural endeavor within the southern region of Thailand, where the country ranks third globally in production, following Malaysia and Indonesia. The assessment of oil palm bunch ripeness serves various purposes, notably in determining purchasing prices, pre-harvest evaluations, and evaluating the impacts of disasters or low market prices. Presently, two predominant methods are employed for this assessment, namely human evaluation, and machine learning for ripeness classification. Human assessment, while boasting high accuracy, necessitates the involvement of farmers or experts, resulting in prolonged processing times, especially when dealing with extensive datasets or dispersed fields. Conversely, machine learning, although capable of accurately classifying harvested oil palm bunches, faces limitations concerning its inability to process images of oil palm bunches on trees and the absence of a platform for on-tree ripeness classification. Considering these challenges, this study introduces the development of a classification platform leveraging machine learning (deep learning) in conjunction with geospatial analysis and visualization to ascertain the ripeness of oil palm bunches while they are still on the tree. The research outcomes demonstrate that oil palm bunch ripeness can be accurately and efficiently classified using a mobile device, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 99.89% with a training dataset comprising 8779 images and a validation accuracy of 96.12% with 1160 images. Furthermore, the proposed platform facilitates the management and processing of spatial data by comparing coordinates derived from images with oil palm plantation data obtained through crowdsourcing and the analysis of cloud or satellite images of oil palm plantations. This comprehensive platform not only provides a robust model for ripeness assessment but also offers potential applications in government management contexts, particularly in scenarios necessitating real-time information on harvesting status and oil palm plantation conditions. Full article