A study on isolation and characterisation of cellulose nanofibre (CNF) and lignin was conducted to expand the application of CNF and lignin from oil palm biomass. CNF was extracted by steam explosion and the by-product was precipitated to obtain lignin by using the soda-pulping method. The concentrations of NaOH used for CNF by-product precipitation were 2%, 4%, and 6%. The morphology of CNF and lignin was characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The nanofibre of CNF with dimension between 50 nm and 100 nm was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The functional group was observed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, showing that CNF had the structure of cellulose-I. In addition, the chemical structures of isolated and commercial lignin were analysed using 1H-NMR spectrometry. CNF had a 72% crystallinity index characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), while lignin showed an amorphous form. The characterisation of isolated lignin was compared with commercial lignin. The two lignins had similar particle size distribution from 1 to 100 μm. From UV-visible analysis, the lignin had aromatic rings/non-conjugated phenolic groups. The morphology of isolated lignin was rough and flaky. Commercial lignin was in powder form with near-spherical morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of CNF showed 30% of residue at 600 °C. The results showed a simple method to isolate CNF and lignin from oil palm empty fruit bunches.

No abstract

Gracilaria sp. is well known as one kind of species of red algae. The major component of polysaccharide in this alga is agar that mostly used for making thin film. In this study, the Gracilaria sp.-based thin film had been prepared using two plasticizers (glycerol and sorbitol, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 wt %), and chitosan (1, 2, and 3 wt %). The FT-IR analysis confirmed the interaction that happened among the component of the mixture of Gracilaria sp., plasticizers, and chitosan was based on hydrogen bonding due to the presence of -OH and -NH2 groups. The plasticizers and chitosan concentration have significant role to the mechanical properties of Gracilaria sp.-based thin film. The optimum concentration of plasticizers and chitosan based on mechanical testing result was found at 0.2 and 3.0 wt %, respectively. At those concentrations, the thin film that prepared with sorbitol showed the highest mechanical properties. Other characterizations, i.e. TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and WVP (Water Vapor Permeability) also brought the same result. The antimicrobial properties of the as prepared thin film in the presence of chitosan on agar medium and as a packaging on selected bread showed the Gracilaria sp.-based thin films was able to inhibit the growth of microbes. This antimicrobial activity can be used to declare the potential of Gracilaria sp.-based thin film as a new active food packaging.

No abstract

Research on studies analysis levels of vitamin C and β-carotene of the Tamarillo fruit shoot grafting between the Tamarillo plant and Lancing plant has been conducted. Analysis of vitamin C level was performed by iodometric method, and analysis of β- carotene levels were calculated using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The research result showed that the level of vitamin C of Tamarillo fruit was 1.596%, the level of vitamin C of Lancing fruit was 0.401%, and the level of vitamin C of Tamarillo fruit grafting outcomes was 1.202%. While the level of β-carotene of Tamarillo fruit was 208.95 ppm, the level of β-carotene of Lancing fruit was 36.11 ppm and the level of - carotene of Tamarillo fruit grafting outcomes was 253.64 ppm. It can be concluded that the vitamin C levels of Tamarillo fruit grafting outcomes decreased slightly. While the β-carotene levels of Tamarillo fruit grafting outcomes increased.

Even though the mechanical extraction process offers a simple and environmentally friendly process, the recovery of oil is relatively low. Thermal pre-treating the oilseed increases the oil yield but produces unwanted oil colour. A new method which combines grinding and extraction using green solvents was developed to extract palm kernel oil. The performance of six different green solvents such as water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl acetate, and d-limonene in extraction palm kernel oil was determined using a controllable blender extractor (CBE), new extraction equipment modified from a household blender appliance. Further, ethyl acetate, which produced the maximum oil yield, was used to study the effect of the operating parameters of the CBE. The oil yield of 34.2 ± 0.02% was obtained in the extraction condition of the ratio of palm kernel to ethyl acetate of 1:7, rotational speed of 5000 rpm and 10 minutes extraction time. Compared to other green extraction methods, the CBE-intensified palm kernel oil extraction could save >70% energy consumption. In terms of extraction time, the CBE-intensified could extract palm kernel oil faster than existing extraction methods.

No abstract

Research on inulin which was isolated from yam tubers (Pachyrhizuserorus).This research is a experimental laboratory research. The Qualitative Analysis of Inulin is Reduction Sugar make a Bennedictand The Quantitative Analysis Inulin was isolated from yam tubers is characterized by using Forrier Transform Infra Red (FTIR).