Carotenoids are a group of isoprenoid pigments which are widely distributed in nature. They are synthesized by all photosynnthetic bacteria and fungi. Carotenoids protect the photosynthetic apparatus from photo-oxidation, and represent structural components of light-harvesting antenna and reaction-centre complexes. Dietary carotenoids fulfil essential requirements for human and animal nutrition. B-carotene is the most potent dietary […]

Modification of carotenoid content especially towards increasing lycopene content is one of the main targets of the oil palm genetic engineering programme at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) (Parveez et al., 2003). This is due to the potential nutraceutical properties of lycopene. It has been shown that this carotenoid has the greatest ability of […]

Modulating endogenous levels and/or production of novel fatty acid of oils has gained significant attention in recent years due to the increasing awareness by consumers of the impact that dietary lipids have on health. Commodity palm oil is composed of four main fatty acid: palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid. The percentage […]

Fertiliser is an important input in oil palm plantations, and has to be managed efficiency depends on the source type of fertiliser, method of placement, rate, frequency and timing of application. Previous work shows that application of fertiliser by general broadcast on clear-weeded circles, over the frond stack and outside the edge of the palm […]

The vermicomposting process has been described as the bio-oxidation and stabilisation of ooranic materials involving the hoint actions of earthworms and microorganisms (Aira et al., 2002). In contrast to traditional compost, vermicompost never heats up much above the ambient temperature. Many practitioners combine the two techniques, initially doung a partial pre-composting at high temperatures, followed […]