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Palm kernel (PK) consignments to the kernel crushing plant (KCP) usually have high dirt & shell content ranging from 6% to 11% (Rohaya et al., 2002). Conventional processing of such consignments produces palm kernel cake (PKC) with high shell (>12%) and crude fibre (>18%) content. PKC is a nutritious by-product generated from PK after the … Read more

Biogas is a renewable energy resource generated from the anaerobic decomposition of palm oil mill effluent (POME). In 2016, it was estimated that 55.80 million tonnes of POME and 1562 million m3 of biogas were generated from 85.84 million tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) processed in 456 palm oil mills nationwide (MPOB, 2017). The … Read more

The physical properties such as moisture content and density of oil palm trunk (OPT) vary in radial direction with tree height (Lim and Gan, 2005). This must be considered in the processing and manufacturing of composite panel board from oil palm trunk (OPT). If these disadvantages could be addressed, the OPT could complement the use … Read more

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 … Read more

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 … Read more

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, … Read more

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: … Read more

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 … Read more

Salak (Salacca zalacca) is a palm native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The fruits are known as snake fruit due to the reddish-brown scaly skin, growing in clusters at the base of the palm. The palm is cultivated in the wet regions of Malaysia and commonly planted under trees as it is tolerant to limited light … Read more

The oil palm is an important perennial oil crop for a number of countries in the tropics. A recent finding reported the presence of Coconut cadang-cadang viroid (CCCVd) variant in oil palm. The viroid as reported by Vadamalai (2005) implicated the movement of oil palm planting materials in Malaysia although there was no evidence of … Read more