In 2016, a total of 86.3 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches were processed by oil palm mills in Malaysia (MPOB, 2017), generating more than 6 million tonnes (dried weight) of empty fruit bunches (EFB). At present EFB are used in sectors such as renewable energy (bio-pellets and bio-briquettes), biocomposites (particleboard and fibreboards), biofertiliser and […]

Palm-pressed fibre oil (PPFO) is unique as it contains high amount of β-carotene (pro-vitamin A), vitamin E (tocotrienols & tocopherols), squalene and sterols as compared to crude palm oil (CPO). Currently, the crude PPFO is not refined and is sold at a discount to CPO due to its low DOBI value and high free fatty […]

MPOB initiated the genetic engineering program in late 1980s to diversify the use and increase the economic value of palm oil. The aim of the program was to produce higher oleic acid content of the palm oil in the mesocarp. Subsequently, the genetic engineering program was expanded to include high contents of stearic, palmitoleic, ricinoleic, […]

MPOB introduced the oil palm motorised cutter (Cantas) to the industry in 2007. Cantas is suitable for harvesting fresh fruit bunches (FFB) from palms up to 7 m harvesting height. Cantas increases harvesting productivity which improves harvesters’ earning besides reducing workers on the payroll, currently dominated by foreign workers (Razak et al., 2013). Main Researcher: […]

Loose fruits are currently collected by hand picking or raking. This technique is not only labour demanding, and time-consuming but is also tedious and laborious. The worker needs to squat and stand up throughout the day during the collection process. On the average, the time taken for the worker to collect loose fruits is about […]