Enhancement of Biodegradation of Palm Oil Mill Effluents by Local Isolated Microorganisms

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the microorganisms associated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) in Johor Bahru

state, Malaysia. Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluents (POME) was conducted to measure the discarded POME based on

physicochemical quality. The bacteria that were isolated are Micrococcus species, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas species, and

Staphylococcus aureus, while the fungi that were isolated are Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida species, Fusarium

species, Mucor species, and Penicillium species. The autoclaved and unautoclaved raw POME samples were incubated for 7 days

and the activities of the microorganisms were observed each 12 hours. The supernatants of the digested POME were investigated

for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), color (ADMI), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at the end of each

digestion cycle. The results showed that the unautoclaved raw POME sample degraded better than the inoculated POME sample

and this suggests that the microorganisms that are indigenous in the POME are more effective than the introduced microorganisms.

This result, however, indicates the prospect of isolating indigenous microorganisms in the POME for effective biodegradation of

POME. Moreover, the effective treatment of POME yields useful products such as reduction of BOD, COD, and color.

1. Introduction

Palm oil industry has become one of the main Agro-

industries in Malaysia. Palm oil mills release POME in

colossal amounts with its attendant polluting impending.

POME has unfavourable environmental ramifications effects

including land and aquatic ecosystem contamination and

loss of biodiversity and increase in COD and BOD in

environment [1, 2]. Today, the penetration of palm oil mill has

been considered due to its effluents into the waterways and

ecosystems remaining a meticulous concern towards the food

chain interference and water consumption [3]. This can cause

considerable environmental problems if discharged without

effective treatment by polluting land and effectively suffocat-

ing other aquatic life [4]. Thus, palm oil mills are required

to treat their POME prior to discharging it into rivers and

streams. In the process of palm oil milling, POME is mainly

generated from sterilization and clarification of palm oil in

which a large amount of steam and hot water are used [5].

POME is a thick brownish liquid that is compiled with high

concentrations of total solids, oil and grease, chemical oxygen

demand (COD), and biological oxygen demand (BOD) [6].

The biological treatment depends enormously on con-

sortium of microorganism’s activities, which operate the

organic substances present in the POME as supplements

and eventually degrade these organic matters into simple

by-product such as methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen

supplied, and water.The biological treatment process requires

large pond to hold the POME in place for the effective

biodegradation, which regularly takes a few days relying upon

the sort and native of the microorganisms [1]. Besides, so as

to enhance the effectiveness of this medication process, pow-

erful mono or combined culture of feasible fungi and bacteria

in biodegradation treatment of POME waste. Therefore,

the challenge of converting POME into an environmentally

friendly waste demanded an efficient treatment and effective

disposal technique.