Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 45 in total

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  1. Alkotaini B, Anuar N, Kadhum AA, Sani AA
    World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2014 Apr;30(4):1377-85.
    PMID: 24272828 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-013-1558-z
    A wild-type, Gram-positive, rod-shaped, endospore-forming and motile bacteria has been isolated from palm oil mill sludge in Malaysia. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the bacteria belonged to genus Paenibacillus. With 97 % similarity to P. alvei (AUG6), the isolate was designated as P. alvei AN5. An antimicrobial compound was extracted from P. alvei AN5-pelleted cells using 95 % methanol and was then lyophilized. Precipitates were re-suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), producing an antimicrobial crude extract (ACE). The ACE showed antimicrobial activity against Salmonella enteritidis ATCC 13076, Escherichia coli ATCC 29522, Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 and Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014. By using SP-Sepharose cation exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-25 gel filtration and Tricine SDS-PAGE, the ACE was purified, which produced a ~2-kDa active band. SDS-PAGE and infrared (IR) spectroscopy indicated the proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compound in the ACE, and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and de novo sequencing using an automatic, Q-TOF premier system detected a peptide with the amino acid sequence F-C-K-S-L-P-L-P-L-S-V-K (1,330.7789 Da). This novel peptide was designated as AN5-2. The antimicrobial peptide exhibited stability from pH 3 to 12 and maintained its activity after being heated to 90 °C. It also remained active after incubation with denaturants (urea, SDS and EDTA).
  2. Al-Baldawi IA, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Anuar N, Suja F, Idris M
    Water Sci Technol, 2013;68(10):2271-8.
    PMID: 24292478 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2013.484
    One of the appropriate development technology options for the treatment of wastewater contaminated with diesel is constructed wetlands (CWs). Throughout 72 days of exposure, sampling was carried out for monitoring of physical parameters, plant growth and the efficiency of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal, as an indication for diesel contamination, to assess the pilot-scale performance. Four pilot CWs with a horizontal sub-surface flow system were applied using the bulrush of Scirpus grossus. The CWs were loaded with different diesel concentrations of 0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.25% (Vdiesel/Vwater). The TPH removal efficiencies were 82, 71, and 67% at the end of 72 days for diesel concentrations of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.25% respectively. In addition, the high removal efficiency of total suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were 100 and 75.4% respectively, for a diesel concentration of 0.1%. It was concluded that S. grossus is a potential plant that can be used in a well-operated CW for restoring 0.1% diesel-contaminated water.
  3. Shahul Hamid F, Bhatti MS, Anuar N, Anuar N, Mohan P, Periathamby A
    Waste Manag Res, 2018 Oct;36(10):873-897.
    PMID: 30103651 DOI: 10.1177/0734242X18785730
    The widespread occurrence of microplastic has invaded the environment to an extent that it appears to be present throughout the globe. This review investigated the global abundance and distribution of microplastics in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, the issues and challenges have been addressed for better findings in microplastics studies. Findings revealed that the accumulation of microplastics varies geographically, with locations, hydrodynamic conditions, environmental pressure, and time. From this review, it is crucial that proper regulations are proposed and implemented in order to reduce the occurrence of microplastics in the aquatic environment. Without appropriate law and regulations, microplastic pollution will eventually threaten human livelihood.
  4. Taib MNAM, Anuar N, Hanafiah KM, Al-Shammary AAK, Saaid M, Awang K
    Trop Life Sci Res, 2020 Apr;31(1):159-178.
    PMID: 32963717 DOI: 10.21315/tlsr2020.31.1.10
    Alpinia conchigera Griff. is a plant species from the family Zingiberaceae. Coloquially known as wild ginger, Alpinia conchigera Griff. is used as food condiment and for traditional treatment of skin diseases. Isolation studies to identify bioactive compounds of rhizomes of Alpinia conchigera yielded seven compounds; 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (1), trans-p-coumaryl diacetate (2), p-hydroxycinnamyl acetate (3), 1'S-1'-hydroxychavicol acetate (4) p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (5), stigmasterol (6) and β-sitosterol (7). Compounds 1, 2 and 5 were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among the compounds tested, Compound 1 showed good antimicrobial activity against the strain of MRSA with minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) value of 0.5 mg/mL. Meanwhile, Compounds 2 and 5 exhibited moderate activity with MIC value between 1.0 and 2.0 mg/mL. These findings indicate antimicrobial potential of 1'S-1'-acetoxychavicol acetate (1), compound derived from rhizome of Alpinia conchigera Griff. against MRSA, which warrant further investigation.
  5. Zulpa AK, Barathan M, Iyadorai T, Chandramathi S, Vellasamy KM, Vadivelu J, et al.
    Trop Biomed, 2021 Jun 01;38(2):180-185.
    PMID: 34172708 DOI: 10.47665/tb.38.2.055
    Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease progressed from abnormal production of immature myeloid cells, which is often associated with concurrent infections after diagnosis. It was widely established that infections are the major contributors to mortality in this group due to the prevalency of neutropenia. Gram-negative Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis. This disease had been reported in several neutropenic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy resulting in severe clinical presentations and high mortalities which is in need of critical attention. Studies show that cytokines are important mediators of melioidosis progression and low neutrophil counts are associated with progression of its severity. However, to date, there are no reports on cytokine production in neutropenic cancer patients who are prone to melioidosis. Hence, here we assessed the cytokine production in neutropenic AML patients by introducing B. pseudomallei to their peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture in vitro. We observed that inflammatory response related cytokines namely TNF-α, IFN-γ IL-6 and IL-10 were highly circulated in infected PBMCs suggesting that these cytokines may play important roles in the progression of severity in melioidosis infected neutropenic patients.
  6. Islam AK, Anuar N, Yaakob Z, Ghani JA, Osman M
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:935981.
    PMID: 24222756 DOI: 10.1155/2013/935981
    Six parents of Jatropha curcas were crossed in half diallel fashion, and the F 1s were evaluated to determine the combining ability for nine germination parameters. The ratio between general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances indicated preponderance of additive gene action for all the characters except germination percentage, time of 50% germination, seedling length, and seedling vigor index. The parents P 1 and P 2 were the best general combiner for most of the characters studied. The cross P 1 × P 5 was the best specific combiner for speed of emergence, germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, and seedling vigor index, the cross P 2 × P 5 for mean germination time, time of 50% germination, and seedling length, and the cross P 4 × P 5 for number of days to first germination. The germination percentage varied from 58.06 to 92.76% among the parents and 53.43 to 98.96% among the hybrids. The highest germination (98.96%) was observed in hybrid P 2 × P 4, and none of the hybrids or parents showed 100% germination. The highest germination index (GI) and seedling vigor index (SVI) were found in hybrid P 1 × P 5 and P 2 × P 5, respectively. The results of this study provide clue for the improvement of Jatropha variety through breeding program.
  7. Anuar N, Mohd Adnan AF, Saat N, Aziz N, Mat Taha R
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2013;2013:810547.
    PMID: 24174918 DOI: 10.1155/2013/810547
    Anthocyanins not just have various benefits in food industry but also have been used as natural colourants in cosmetic, coating products and as potential natural photosensitizers in solar cell. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to obtain information on the maximum yield of anthocyanin that can be recovered from Melastoma malabathricum fruit. Factors such as extraction temperature, extraction time, and solid to liquid ratio were identified to be significantly affecting anthocyanin extraction efficiency. By using three-level three-factor Box-Behnken design, the optimized conditions for anthocyanin extraction by acidified methanol (R (2) = 0.972) were temperature of 60°C, time of 86.82 min, and 0.5 : 35 (g/mL) solid to liquid ratio while the optimum extraction conditions by acidified ethanol (R (2) = 0.954) were temperature of 60°C, time of 120 min, and 0.5 : 23.06 (g/mL) solid to liquid ratio. The crude anthocyanin extract was further purified by using Amberlite XAD-7 and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Identification of anthocyanins revealed the presence of cyanidin dihexoside, cyanidin hexoside, and delphinidin hexoside as the main anthocyanins in M. malabathricum fruit.
  8. Lim JJ, Salowi MA, Adnan TH, Anuar NA, Ngah NF, Choo MM
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 03;76(2):190-198.
    PMID: 33742627
    INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the visual outcomes of phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation (IOL) surgery in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) in Malaysia over a 12-year period and to identify factors that may contribute to poor visual outcome.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was retrieved from the webbased Malaysian Cataract Surgery Registry (CSR). Perioperative data for cataract surgery performed from 2007- 2018 were analysed. Inclusion criteria were age ≥40 years, phacoemulsification and IOL and senile cataract. Combined surgeries, surgeries performed by trainees and ocular comorbidities were excluded. Post-operative Best-Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) were compared. Factors affecting poor visual outcomes among those with DM were analysed using multivariate logistic regression to produce adjusted odds ratio (OR) for variables of interest.

    RESULTS: Total number of cases between 2007-2018 was 442,858, of whom 179,210 qualified for our analysis. DM group consisted of 72,087 cases (40.2%). There were 94.5% cases in DM group and 95.0Ź from non-DM group who achieved BCVA ≥6/12 (p<0.001). Among patients with DM, advanced age (70-79 years old, OR: 2.54, 95% Confidence Interva, 95%CI: 1.91, 3.40; 80-89 years old, OR: 5.50, 95%CI: 4.02, 7.51), ≥90 years, OR: 9.77, 95%CI: 4.18, 22.81), poor preoperative presenting visual acuity [<6/18-6/60] (OR: 2.40, 95%CI: 1.84, 3.14) and <6/60-3/60 (OR: 3.00, 95%CI: 2.24, 4.02), <3/60 (OR 3.63, 95%CI: 2.77, 4.74)], presence of intraoperative complication (OR 2.24, 95%CI: 1.86, 2.71) and presence of postoperative complication (OR 5.21, 95%CI: 2.97, 9.16) were significant factors for poor visual outcome.

    CONCLUSIONS: Visual outcomes following phacoemulsification with IOL implantation surgery among cases with DM were poorer compared to cases without DM. Risk factors for poor visual outcomes among cases with DM were identified.

  9. Jawahir S, Mohamad Anuar NN, Sheikh Abdullah SF, Silvernayagam S, Tan EH
    Med J Malaysia, 2021 Jan;76(1):73-79.
    PMID: 33510113
    INTRODUCTION: Positive professional practice environments are crucial to safeguard a healthy and safe working conditions for health workforce, including nurses; so as to ensure provision of quality healthcare and safety of patient.

    METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study to assess nurses' perceptions towards nursing practice environment and factors associated with their perceptions. A validated Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PESNWI) questionnaire was administered to nurses working in two Ministry of Health hospitals. The questionnaire comprises of five subscales: Participation, Foundation, Managers Support, Workforce Adequacy and Physician/Nurse Relations. Mean scores of >2.50 were considered as favourable, and ≤2.50 were considered as unfavourable. Simple linear and multiple linear regression analysis were employed to identify factors associated with their perceptions. Analysis was carried out using STATA version 14.0.

    RESULTS: A total of 366 respondents took part in the study, with a response rate of 98.4%. Majority were working shift (89.6%) and working extended hours (62.3%). In general, the nursing practice environments were rated as favourable. Overall mean score was 2.90±0.03 and four out of five subscales' mean scores were >2.50. Foundation for quality nursing care was perceived as the most favourable subscale, while workforce adequacy was perceived as the least favourable. There were statistically significant association between working extended hours, doing double shift and working during day off with perceived unfavourable workforce adequacy.

    CONCLUSION: Nursing practice environment was perceived as favourable in the studied hospitals. Policy makers, service providers, and hospital managers could explore further on human resource planning and management of nursing personnel to tackle the issue of nurse staffing in the country.

  10. Mahmod SS, Azahar AM, Luthfi AAI, Abdul PM, Mastar MS, Anuar N, et al.
    Sci Rep, 2020 06 08;10(1):9167.
    PMID: 32514030 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65702-w
    Two-stage anaerobic digestion of palm oil mill effluent (POME) is a promising method for converting the waste from the largest agricultural industry in Southeast Asia into a clean and sustainable energy. This study investigates the degradation of acid-rich effluent from the dark fermentation stage for the production of biomethane (BioCH4) in a 30-L continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR). The continuous methanogenic process was operated with varied HRTs (10 - 1 day) and OLRs (4.6-40.6 gCOD/L.d-1) under thermophilic conditions. Methanothermobacter sp. was the dominant thermophilic archaea that was responsible for the production rate of 4.3 LCH4/LPOME.d-1 and methane yield of 256.77 LCH4kgCOD at HRT of 2 d, which is the lowest HRT reported in the literature. The process was able to digest 85% and 64% of the initial POME's COD and TSS, respectively. The formation of methane producing granules (MPG) played a pivotal role in sustaining the efficient and productive anaerobic system. We report herein that the anaerobic digestion was not only beneficial in reducing the contaminants in the liquid effluent, but generating BioCH4 gas with a positive net energy gain of 7.6 kJ/gCOD.
  11. Al-Baldawi IA, Abdullah SRS, Almansoory AF, Ismail N', Hasan HA, Anuar N
    Sci Rep, 2020 08 19;10(1):13980.
    PMID: 32814793 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70740-5
    In the present study, the potential of Salvinia molesta for biodecolorization of methyl orange (MO) dye from water was examined. Six glass vessels were filled with 4 L of water contaminated with MO with three concentrations (5, 15, and 25 mg/L), three with plants and another three without plant as contaminant control. The influence of operational parameters, including initial dye concentration, pH, temperature, and plant growth, on the efficacy of the biodecolorization process by S. molesta was determined. Temperature and pH was in the range of 25-26 °C and 6.3 to 7.3, respectively. Phytotransformation was monitored after 10 days through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and a significant variation in the peak positions was demonstrated when compared to the control plant spectrum, indicating the adsorption of MO. The highest biodecolorization was 42% in a 5 mg/L MO dye concentration at pH 7.3 and at 27 °C. According to the FTIR results, a potential method for the biodecolourization of MO dye by S. molesta was proven. Salvinia molesta can be successfully used for upcoming eco-friendly phytoremediation purposes for dye removal.
  12. Izhar Ariff Mohd Kashim M, Abdul Haris AA, Abd Mutalib S, Anuar N, Shahimi S
    Saudi J Biol Sci, 2023 Jan;30(1):103501.
    PMID: 36466219 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2022.103501
    Cultured meat is meat produced from stem cell biopsies of cattle. Stem cells were cultured in a bioreactor in the presence of serum to grow the flesh to maturity. Cultured meat technology originated from regenerative medical technology; however, it has been given a new lease of life to produce cultured meat as an innovative food source in the future without involving cattle breeding. This technology can reduce the negative environmental impacts of global warming, water use, soil, and unethical handling of animals. In the excitement of accepting this new technology, the halal status of cultured meat is in question, as it can be produced from embryonic stem cells and myosatellite cells, each of which can be disputed for their halal status. Additionally, the process of culturing and maturation of stem cells involves the use of an impure medium derived from animal blood. Thus, cultured meat is acceptable to Muslims only if the stem cells, medium and scaffold biomaterials used to manufacture it are from Halal sources and shall be in line with the six principles discussed in this study. The discussion is based on Halal and haram animals; Animal slaughtering; Not derived from a source of najs (impurity); Istihalah tammah (perfect substance change); Maslahah (public interest or benefit) and mafsadah (damage); and Darurat (exigency) of cultured meat)).
  13. Jaapar SZ, Kalil MS, Anuar N
    Pak J Biol Sci, 2009 Sep 15;12(18):1253-9.
    PMID: 20384278
    Photo fermentation is a biological process that can be applied for hydrogen production. The process is environmental friendly which is operated under mild conditions using renewable resources. In order to increase yield of H2 produced by Rhodobacter sphaeroides, some experimental factors that may enhance H2 production were studied. The effect of operating parameters including agitation, aeration and light on hydrogen production using R. sphaeroides NCIMB 8253 was investigated. Rhodobacter sphaeroides NCIMB 8253 was grown in 100 mL serum bottle containing growth medium with maliec acid as the sole organic carbon source. The cultures were incubated anaerobically at 30 degrees C with tungsten lamp (100 W) as the light source (3.8 klux) and argon gas was purged for maintaining anaerobic condition. The results show that maximum hydrogen produced was higher (54.37 mL) in static culture with 69.98% of H2 in the total gas compared with shake culture (11.57 mL) with 57.86% of H2. By using static culture, H2 produced was five times higher compared with non-static in both aerobic and anaerobic condition. It was found that growth and H2 production with fluorescent lamp showed better results than growth and H2 production with tungsten light.
  14. Anuar N, Idris NS
    Malays Fam Physician, 2018;13(3):27-28.
    PMID: 30800230
    We report a case of acute gonococcal conjunctivitis in a 36-year-old woman who presented with eye redness and a history of discharge for one month. Prior to presenting to us, she was treated for bacterial conjunctivitis with three courses of local antibiotics by three different clinics after brief assessments and without improvement. The final diagnosis of gonococcal conjunctivitis was made after a complete history was elicited and supported by the presence of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in the eye swab culture test. She and her sexual partner were treated successfully with intramuscular Ceftriaxone and oral Azithromycin. This case highlights the importance of complete history taking, including sexual history, which translates into early recognition and treatment, thus preventing complications.
  15. Anuar, N., Idris, N.S.
    Malaysian Family Physician, 2018;13(3):27-28.
    MyJurnal
    We report a case of acute gonococcal conjunctivitis in a 36-year-old woman who presented with
    eye redness and a history of discharge for one month. Prior to presenting to us, she was treated for
    bacterial conjunctivitis with three courses of local antibiotics by three different clinics after brief
    assessments and without improvement. The final diagnosis of gonococcal conjunctivitis was made
    after a complete history was elicited and supported by the presence of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae in
    the eye swab culture test. She and her sexual partner were treated successfully with intramuscular
    Ceftriaxone and oral Azithromycin. This case highlights the importance of complete history taking,
    including sexual history, which translates into early recognition and treatment, thus preventing
    complications. (Copied from article).
  16. Alkotaini B, Anuar N, Kadhum AA, Sani AA
    J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol, 2013 Jun;40(6):571-9.
    PMID: 23508455 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-013-1259-5
    An antimicrobial substance produced by the Paenibacillus alvei strain AN5 was detected in fermentation broth. Subsequently, cell-free culture supernatant (CFCS) was obtained by medium centrifugation and filtration, and its antimicrobial activity was tested. This showed a broad inhibitory spectrum against both Gram-positive and -negative bacterial strains. The CFCS was then purified and subjected to SDS-PAGE and infrared spectroscopy, which indicated the proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compound. Some de novo sequencing using an automatic Q-TOF premier system determined the amino acid sequence of the purified antimicrobial peptide as Y-S-K-S-L-P-L-S-V-L-N-P (1,316 Da). The novel peptide was designated as peptide AN5-1. Its mode of action was bactericidal, inducing cell lysis in E. coli ATCC 29522 and S. aureus, and non-cell lysis in both S. marcescens and B. cereus ATCC 14579. Peptide AN5-1 displayed stability at a wide range of pH values (2-12) and remained active after exposure to high temperatures (100 °C). It also maintained its antimicrobial activity after incubation with chemicals such as SDS, urea and EDTA.
  17. Al-Baldawi IA, Abdullah SR, Anuar N, Suja F, Idris M
    J Hazard Mater, 2013 May 15;252-253:64-9.
    PMID: 23500791 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.01.067
    In this study, bulrush (Scirpus grossus) was subjected to a 72 day phytotoxicity test to assess its ability to phytoremediate diesel contamination in simulated wastewater at different concentrations (0, 8700, 17,400 and 26,100mg/L). Diesel degradation by S. grossus was measured in terms of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH-D). The TPH-D concentration in the synthetic wastewater was determined with the liquid-liquid extraction method and gas chromatography. S. grossus was found to reduce TPH-D by 70.0 and 80.2% for concentrations of 8700 mg/L and 17,400mg/L, respectively. At a diesel concentration of 26,100mg/L, S. grossus died after 14 days. Additionally, the biomass of S. grossus plants was found to increase throughout the phytotoxicity test, confirming the ability of the plant to survive in water contaminated with diesel at rates of less than 17,400mg/L.
  18. Al-Baldawi IA, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Abu Hasan H, Suja F, Anuar N, Mushrifah I
    J Environ Manage, 2014 Jul 1;140:152-9.
    PMID: 24762527 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.03.007
    This study investigated the optimum conditions for total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) removal from diesel-contaminated water using phytoremediation treatment with Scirpus grossus. In addition, TPH removal from sand was adopted as a second response. The optimum conditions for maximum TPH removal were determined through a Box-Behnken Design. Three operational variables, i.e. diesel concentration (0.1, 0.175, 0.25% Vdiesel/Vwater), aeration rate (0, 1 and 2 L/min) and retention time (14, 43 and 72 days), were investigated by setting TPH removal and diesel concentration as the maximum, retention time within the given range, and aeration rate as the minimum. The optimum conditions were found to be a diesel concentration of 0.25% (Vdiesel/Vwater), a retention time of 63 days and no aeration with an estimated maximum TPH removal from water and sand of 76.3 and 56.5%, respectively. From a validation test of the optimum conditions, it was found that the maximum TPH removal from contaminated water and sand was 72.5 and 59%, respectively, which was a 5 and 4.4% deviation from the values given by the Box-Behnken Design, providing evidence that S. grossus is a Malaysian native plant that can be used to remediate wastewater containing hydrocarbons.
  19. Al-Baldawi IA, Abdullah SR, Suja F, Anuar N, Mushrifah I
    J Environ Manage, 2013 Nov 30;130:324-30.
    PMID: 24113536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.09.010
    Two types of flow system, free surface flow (FSF) and sub-surface flow (SSF), were examined to select a better way to remove total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) using diesel as a hydrocarbon model in a phytotoxicity test to Scirpus grossus. The removal efficiencies of TPH for the two flow systems were compared. Several wastewater parameters, including temperature (T, °C), dissolved oxygen (DO, mgL(-1)), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP, mV), and pH were recorded during the experimental runs. In addition, overall plant lengths, wet weights, and dry weights were also monitored. The phytotoxicity test using the bulrush plant S. grossus was run for 72 days with different diesel concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) (Vdiesel/Vwater). A comparison between the two flow systems showed that the SSF system was more efficient than the FSF system in removing TPH from the synthetic wastewater, with average removal efficiencies of 91.5% and 80.2%, respectively. The SSF system was able to tolerate higher diesel concentrations than was the FSF system.
  20. Wu TY, Mohammad AW, Jahim JM, Anuar N
    J Environ Manage, 2010 Jul;91(7):1467-90.
    PMID: 20231054 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.02.008
    Palm oil production is one of the major industries in Malaysia and this country ranks one of the largest productions in the world. In Malaysia, the total production of crude palm oil in 2008 was 17,734,441 tonnes. However, the production of this amount of crude palm oil results in even larger amounts of palm oil mill effluent (POME). In the year 2008 alone, at least 44 million tonnes of POME was generated in Malaysia. Currently, the ponding system is the most common treatment method for POME but other processes such as aerobic and anaerobic digestion, physicochemical treatment and membrane filtration may also provide the palm oil industries with possible insights into the improvement of POME treatment processes. Generally, open ponding offers low capital and operating costs but this conventional method is becoming less attractive because the methane produced is wasted to the atmosphere and the system can not be certified for Carbon Emission Reduction trading. On the other hand, anaerobic digestion of POME provides the fastest payback of investment because the treatment enables biogas recovery for heat generation and treated effluent for land application. Lastly, it is proposed herewith that wastewater management based on the promotion of cleaner production and environmentally sound biotechnologies should be prioritized and included as a part of the POME management in Malaysia for attaining sustainable development. This paper thus discusses and compares state-of-the-art POME treatment methods as well as their individual performances.
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