BSc in Resource Biotechnology from UNIMAS
MSc in Biochemistry (Fermentation Technology) from UNIMAS
PhD in Biochemistry (Industrial Biotechnology) from UNIMAS
7
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Effect of storage condition on the viability of sago effluents as carbon source in fermentation medium for bioethanol production Mohamad Zulhisyam Rashid, Dyg Salwani Awg Adeni, Muhammad Norhelmi Ahmad Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, 2024 In Sarawak, Malaysia, approximately 237 tons/day of sago effluent is commonly discharged into nearby river due to the sago starch extraction process. Due to the high concentration of polymeric compounds, particularly starch, in sago wastewater, which petrifies easily, this condition severely pollutes the environment in the affected area. This study was conducted to determine the viability of using sago effluent as a carbon source and fermentation medium for bioethanol production which indirectly help to minimize the environmental impact as well as the economics of the sago industry. The sago effluent obtained from the local sago mill was analysed for starch content and pH profile while stored at room and cold (4°C) temperature facility. Enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted to convert the residual starch into glucose as carbon source for bioethanol fermentation. Fresh sago effluent can be stored for up to 5 days in cold temperature where the starch content remains constant. The highest starch concentration in sago effluent was 61.33 g/L, in which 50.57 g/L glucose was obtained through the enzymatic hydrolysis process. Hence 82.5% of the starch to glucose conversion yield is revealed. Then, the sago effluent hydrolysate which acts as a carbon source as well as a fermentation medium able to generate 23.14 g/L of bioethanol, displays a 91% theoretical yield of glucose to ethanol. In conclusion, the utilization of sago wastewater as feasible alternative to cheap and locally available and sustainable source of raw materials to produce bioethanol.
Sago wastes as a feedstock for biosugar, precursor for chemical substitutes Mohd A. Jenol, Muhd N. Ahmad, Dayang S. A. Adeni, Micky Vincent, Nurashikin Suhaili Chemical Substitutes from Agricultural and Industrial by Products Bioconversion Bioprocessing and Biorefining, 2023 In Southeast Asia, the sago palm serves as one of the most important starch providers, which has been utilized as food for centuries. In Malaysia specifically in Sarawak, sago starch-based agro-industry is one of the major revenue sources for the state. In contempt of the increasing demand soon, sago industry will eventually be facing new threats related to the waste management problem. The processing of sago palm into starch generates a huge amount of several types of waste, including bark, hampas, wastewater, and sago frond. The utilization of these wastes in the bioconversion of value-added products is deemed a promising approach due to their availability as well as their physicochemical contents. This has led to the exploration of the utilization of sago wastes for various chemical substitutes development, such as biosugar and several bioproducts derivatives ( l -Lactic acid, cellobiose, silage, enzymes, and kojic acid). This chapter aims to discuss and explore the current development of sago waste biorefinery as well as its prospects and challenges. With the exponential development and advancement in current technology, the biorefinery of sago wastes is deemed to be beneficial to the national economy.
Antibacterial Properties of Purified Sago Frond Sugar Against Food-Borne Associated Disease Bacteria Muhammad Norhelmi Ahmad, Nurazureen Matnin, Dayang Salwani Awang Adeni, Nurashikin Suhaili, Kopli Bujang Malaysian Applied Biology, 2023 Sago palm is recognised as key to sustainable food security due to its advantages resilient against extreme conditions such as wildfire and flood associated with adaptability to climate change. Sago palm is also known to remain solid after being attacked by pests and infected by the disease. Unfortunately, for the last ten years, the Sago palm industry experiences a significant decrease in plantation area and productivity. The long maturation period is identified to be the major factor that is responsible towards the respected issue. Thus, alternative commodities from the growing sago palm must be explored to offer a better perspective on the sago industry. Sago frond (SF) was utilised into Sago Frond Sugar (SFS) via enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulase enzyme containing cellobiose and glucose as main sugar at 9-10 g/L and 5-6 g/L concentration respectively. SFS was purified (PSFS) using Powdered Activated Charcoal (PAC) to remove the impurities. Antibacterial analysis shows that PSFS able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi at 23.5 mm, 22.5mm and 13.25 mm clearing zone respectively. However, the growth of Listeria monocytogenes seems unaffected by the presence of PSFS. Promoting the versatility of sago frond as raw material to synthesise high-value products such as SFS will extend the potential of the sago palm to be recognised as an important crop to ensure global food security and safety.
THE CHARACTERISTICS of SAGO FROND SAP from TWO SELECTED GROWTH STAGES; ANGKAT PUNGGUNG and UPONG MUDA PALMS Nurazureen Matnin, Dayang Salwani Awang Adeni, Muhammad Norhelmi Ahmad, Nurashikin Suhaili Malaysian Journal of Science, 2021 Sago frond is produced in abundance upon harvesting of the sago palms for starch extraction, hence need to be utilized and developed into beneficial products. In this study, the sap which contains sugars and starch is obtained by roller crushing the skinned frond for use as fermentation medium. Fronds from different growth stages (namely Angkat punggung and Upong muda) and different positions within the rosette (inner and outer circle) of the sago palm were studied. Based on the results, the outer circle frond of Upong muda palm gave the highest volume of sap at 290mL/kg which equivalent to 1600 mL/frond. On top of that, sago frond sap has an acidic pH, with glucose as major sugar component and contained various kinds of minerals like calcium, potassium and manganese. All fronds from different growth stages contain glucose between 28-68 g/L and xylose 21-29 g/L, respectively. After 21 days of storage, it can be concluded that the amount of reducing sugars and starch in all samples obtained from different growth stages remained almost unchanged from the original. Subsequently after this study, both fresh and stored sago frond sap can be used as a fermentation substrate without any modification.
Sugars from sago frond as prebiotic substrate to enhance the growth of Lactococcus lactis IO-1 and production of L-lactic acid. M N Ahmad, K B Bujang, D S A Adeni, F Lananan Iop Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering, 2020 Sago palm is often discredited for exhibiting long maturity period and barrenness of pre-harvest products, which restrain its potentials as an alternative and eternal starch provider. The use of sago fronds to produce prebiotic and fermentable sugars from pruned palms and fronds discarded upon harvesting is a possible enterprise to provide income for the cash-strapped sago farmers while waiting for the sago trunks to be harvestable. Dried sago frond powder coupled with the cellulolytic enzyme and incubated for 48 hours, producing a maximum recovery of cellobiose at 25%. This is of great advantage in reducing the cost of large-scale processes since the yield and productivity from SFS is comparable to the Standard Medium and SFS amended with yeast extract at 0.85g/g and 85%, respectively. Meanwhile, the composition of cellobiose as main sugar component increase the viability of the Lactococcus lactis I0-1 by prolong the lifespan of the cell by perform as slow release carbon source, in fact, cellobiose was protected by β (1-4) glycosidic bond made it consumable to specific probiotic in human digestive system conceive that cellobiose as potential prebiotic component for human. Clearly, the use of sago frond is highly economical and sustainable as the raw material for the manufacturing of fermentable sugars and subsequently as the sustainable substrate for large-scale production of L-lactic acid.
Maximising production of prebiotic sugar (Cellobiose) from sago frond Malaysian Applied Biology, 2018
