TT No. 474: Inventory of Microbial Biodiversity in Some Oil Palm Plantation

Land degradation and the loss of soil fertility caused by soil erosion due to land conversion is a major problem worldwide. Although the use of agrochemicals increases productivity, it may also cause detrimental effects to the environment. Currently, many oil palm plantations have turned to implementing sustainable agricultural management practices to reduce the negative impacts … Read more

TT No. 473: Mapping of Oil Palm Cultivation on Peatland in Malaysia

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the main industrial crop in Malaysia. In the early years of its expansion, most of the oil palm was cultivated on suitable mineral soils. However, as available suitable land is diminishing, some of the oil palm is now being cultivated on marginal soils such as peat. There are 2.43 … Read more

TT No. 471: Palm-based Cream Cheese Analogue

Cream cheese occupies a relatively small but important place among the many varieties of cheeses available commercially. Cream cheese (also called soft cheese) is a sweet, soft, mild-tasting, white cheese, defined by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as containing at least 33% milk fat with a moisture content of not more than 55% and … Read more

TT No. 470: Antioxidant Chilli Oil

Red palm oil has an exceptionally high level of phytonutrients such as carotenes, tocotrienols and squalene. With the infusion of essential oils from chilies and other herbs, we are able to extend the nutritional benefits of the oil. We have demonstrated in our laboratory the antioxidant, anti-cancer and anti inflammation properties for some mixed phytonutrients. … Read more