Nipah (Nypa fruticans): can it be a renewable alternative energy source?

Abstract

Nipah (Nypa fruticans) grows naturally in the mainland zone in mangrove forests, but it can invade all disturbed mangrove forest zones as happened in the Air Telang Protected Forest (ATPF). Nipah has not been widely used by the community and industry to make certain products. This study aims to examine the potential of the nipah fruit shell and fiber in producing renewable energy. The method used in this research is an experimental method by making charcoal briquettes from the shell and fiber of nipah fruit to be tested based on the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). Nipah fruit samples were taken from ATPF and then treated into briquettes in the laboratory. The results of the charcoal briquettes test showed that the moisture content, ash content, density and compressive strength met the SNI requirements, but the calorific value was still below the SNI requirements. These results indicate that charcoal briquettes from nipah fruit have the potential to be used as a renewable energy source through a more appropriate treatment for increasing the heating value.

Study of population distribution and benefits of Nipah (Nypa fruticans)

“…Content of carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat, insoluble and soluble fiber, phenolics compound [32] Fruit flesh (mesocarp) Content of phenolics, flavonoid and antioxidant [33] Fruit flesh (mesocarp) Starch raw materials containing carbohydrates [34,35] Fruit fiber Raw materials for making briquettes (fuel) [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43] Fruit shell Raw materials for making briquettes (fuel) [41][42][43] Fruit shell For making buttons, necklaces and other clothing accessories [9] Fruit shell Heterogeneous catalyst in biodiesel synthesis [44] Sap For making alcohol, molasses, vinegar, syrup, granulate sugar [27,28,45] Sap Contains anti-diabetic compounds and antioxidants [9,45,46] Sap Rich in glucose, sucrose, fructose, minerals, vitamins, organic compounds and antioxidant activity [47][48][49] fruit residues Used for fuel [9] Tree Fiber Raw materials for making particle board [50] Fiber Raw materials for making briquettes (fuel) [43] Stem wood Used for fuel [9] Roots Rhizomes Floats for fishing nets to float above the surface of the water [9] Roots Associated with nipah worms which are useful for fishing bait [8] We have collected various research literature in various places which shows that nipah has enormous benefits (Table 1). The part of the nipah plant that is commonly used by the community is the leaves which can be made into roofs and cigarette wrappers; and the sap can be used as alcohol [27], and the fiber is used as raw material for particle board [51].…”

“…Nipah contains high levels of cellulose and hemicellulose, namely around 28.9-45.6% and 21.8-45.6% respectively, so it has potential as an energy source [51]. Trees, fruit bunches, and fruit peels of nipah can also be processed into charcoal briquettes [42,43]. Apart from that, nipah also has the potential to be used as a source of food and medicine.…”

Loss of carbon stock as an impact of anthropogenic activities in a protected mangrove forest

“…The predominant open area, a result of deforestation and fires, now covers half of the ATPF's total area (Eddy et al 2021a, causing a decline in mangrove root mass and facilitating the invasion of species such as nipah (Nypa fruticans Wurmb) across various zones within the forest (Eddy and Basyuni 2020;Eddy et al 2023). The disruption in mangrove forest succession, coupled with biological invasions, inhibits growth of mangrove and affects aquatic biota, reducing fisheries productivity and exacerbating broader ecological issues (Biswas et al 2012;Numbere 2019).…”