The latest scientific data confirmed that the earth's climate is rapidly changing. Therefore, it has been widely accepted worldwide that global warming is by far the greatest threat and challenge in the new millennium. The main factor that causes global warming is the release of greenhouse gases to the environment. In order to reduce the emission of these greenhouse gases and to promote sustainable development, renewable energy is the perfect solution to achieve both targets. Besides, latest report has shown that the world, including Malaysia can no longer turn away from renewable energy as fossil fuel reserves can only last for the next 30 to 40 years. On the other hand, presently million of hectares of land in Malaysia is occupied with oil palm plantation generating huge quantities of biomass. In this context, biomass from the oil palm industries appears to be a very promising alternative as a source of raw materials including renewable energy in Malaysia. Thus, this paper aims to presents the current scenario of biomass in Malaysia covering the availability of feedstock as well as current and possible utilization of oil palm biomass. This paper will also discuss some ongoing projects in Malaysia related to the utilization of oil palm biomass as a source of renewable energy. Based on the findings presented, it is definitely clear that Malaysia has position herself in the right path to utilize biomass as a source of renewable energy and this can act as an example to other countries in the world that has huge biomass feedstock.

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This study reports the biodiversity of thermophilic cellulolytic bacterial strains that present in the north Malaysian mangrove ecosystem. Soil samples were collected at the four most northern state of Malaysia (Perak, Pulau Pinang, Kedah and Perlis). The samples obtained were first enriched in nutrient broth at 45°C and 55°C prior culturing in the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) agar medium. Repeated streaking was performed on the CMC agar to obtain a pure culture of each isolate prior subjecting it to hydrolysis capacity testing. The isolates that showing the cellulolytic zone (halozone) were sent for 16S rRNA sequencing. Total seven isolates (two from Perak, three from Kedah, another two were from Perlis and Penang each) showed halozone. The isolate (KFX-40) from Kedah exhibited highest halozone of 3.42 ± 0.58, meanwhile, the one obtained from Perak (AFZ-0) showed the lowest hydrolysis capacity (2.61 ± 0.10). Based on 16S rRNA sequencing results, 5 isolates (AFY-40, AFZ-0, KFX-40, RFY-20, and PFX-40) were determined to be Anoxybacillus sp . The other two isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis (KFY-40) and Paenibacillus dendritiformis (KFX-0). Based on growth curve, doubling time of Anoxybacillus sp . UniMAP-KB06 was calculated to be 32.3 min. Optimal cellulose hydrolysis temperature and pH of this strain were determined to be 55°C and 6.0 respectively. Addition of Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ were found to enhance the cellulase activity while Fe 3+ acted as an enzyme inhibitor.

Biodiesel from Jatropha curcas L. seed is conventionally produced via a two-step method: extraction of oil and subsequent esterification/transesterification to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), commonly known as biodiesel. Contrarily, in this study, a single step in situ extraction, esterification and transesterification (collectively known as reactive extraction) of J. curcas L. seed to biodiesel, was investigated and optimized. Design of experiments (DOE) was used to study the effect of various process parameters on the yield of FAME. The process parameters studied include reaction temperature (30-60 degrees C), methanol to seed ratio (5-20 mL/g), catalyst loading (5-30 wt %), and reaction time (1-24 h). The optimum reaction condition was then obtained by using response surface methodology (RSM) coupled with central composite design (CCD). Results showed that an optimum biodiesel yield of 98.1% can be obtained under the following reaction conditions: reaction temperature of 60 degrees C, methanol to seed ratio of 10.5 mL/g, 21.8 wt % of H(2)SO(4), and reaction period of 10 h.

The conventional heterogeneous catalysts involved in biodiesel production include mixed metal oxides, alkaline metal oxides, ion-exchange resins, sulfated oxides and immobilised enzymes. Heterogeneous catalysis has emerged as the preferred alternative for biodiesel production because the products are easy to separate, the catalysts are reusable, and the process is environmentally friendly. However, this method suffers from limitations, such as mass transfer problems, high cost and low catalyst stability, that diminish its economic feasibility and low environmental impact on the entire biodiesel process. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) appear to be a promising catalyst support for biodiesel production due to their ability to overcome the limitations faced by conventional heterogeneous catalysts. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present the current application of functionalised CNTs as catalyst support in biodiesel production, discussing issues such as the limitations encountered by conventional heterogeneous catalysts, the advantages offered by functionalised CNTs and possible methods to functionalise CNTs to serve as catalyst support in biodiesel production. In addition, the reaction parameters required for the transesterification/esterification reaction using functionalised CNTs will be discussed, including the catalyst's life time and regeneration. The challenges and future outlook on the use of functionalised CNTs in the biodiesel industry are also presented. Based on the findings presented in this review, functionalised CNTs have the potential to be a breakthrough technology in the biodiesel industry.