This study examines the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield and the effect of fruit storage on the quality of palm oil in Bangun Bandar Estate, Dolok Masihul, North Sumatra, with special

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Arifiyanto D, Basyuni M, Sumardi, Putri LAP, Siregar ES, Risnasari I, Syahputra I. 2017. Short Communication: Occurrence and cluster analysis of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) fruit type using two-dimensional thin layer chromatography. Biodiversitas 18: 1487- 1492. The problems that have been faced by palm oil breeders are the length of time and high costs to discover the type of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) fruit namely Dura, Pisifera, or Tenera, before using as a seed parent. These conditions are ineffective and add to the cost of maintenance and the production of seedling is more expensive. The present study describes the occurrence and cluster analysis of palm oil fruits using two-dimensional thin layer chromatography (2D-TLC). The leaves and fruit on each fruit mesocarp and shell, commercial seed on each fruit type were sampled through direct determination, plant nurseries, commercial seed and unknown type of palm oil. 2D-TLC chromatograms of hexane extracts showed diversity in palm oil fruits: Dura had ficaprenol-type polyprenol (C50-C60) and no carbon chain-length of polyprenol and dolichols (C85-C100) were found. In Tenera polyprenols of C45-C60 and C90-C100 occurred and dolichols of C85-C105 as well, where polyprenols of C45 and C105 and dolichol of C105 found in Tenera were not detected in Pisifera. To confirm these findings, cluster analysis was drawn using the UPGMA method. The dendrogram demonstrated that the three types of palm oil were grouped to fruit type, suggesting that the occurrence of polyisoprenoids in palm oil fruits were chemotaxonomically significant.

To address concerns over plastics in the global environment, this project produced three wood plastics composites (WPCs) which could divert plastics from the waste stream into new materials. The three materials made had a ratio of 85%:15%, 90%:10%, and 95%:5% low density polyethylene (LDPE) to wood powder and were produced using the dissolution method. Physical and mechanical properties of each WPC were evaluated according to Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) A 5908:2003. Their degradation in nature was evaluated through a graveyard test and assay test conducted in Coptotermes curvignathus termites. Results showed that density, moisture content, thickness swelling and water absorption of the WPCs fulfilled the JIS standard. The mechanical properties of these composites also met the JIS standard, particularly their modulus of elasticity (MOE). Modulus of rupture (MOR) and internal bonding (IB) showed in lower values, depending on the proportion of wood filler they contained. Discoloration of the WPCs was observed after burial in the soil with spectra alteration of attenuated transmission reflectance (ATR) in the band of 500-1000 cm-1 which could be assigned to detach the interphase between wood and plastics. As termite bait, the WPCs decreased in weight, even though the mass loss was comparatively small. Micro Confocal Raman Imaging Spectrometer revealed that termite guts from insects feeding on WPCs contained small amounts of LDPE. This indicated termite can consume plastics in the form of WPCs. Thus WPCs made predominantly of plastics can be degraded in nature. While producing WPCs can assist in decreasing plastics litter in the environment, the eventual fate of the LDPE in termites is still unknown.

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