The world’s largest contribution to biomass comes from lignocellulosic material. Oil palm biomass is one of the most important sources of lignocellulosic material in Asia, with biomass produced four times that of palm oil. Oil palm trunk (OPT), oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB), oil palm frond (OPF), and palm oil mill effluent (POME) are examples of biomass lignocellulosic materials produced. Unfortunately, the majority of waste is disposed of in landfills, causing serious environmental issues such as global warming and the greenhouse effect. These wastes are known to contain a high concentration of cellulose and hemicellulose. Because of its high carbohydrate content, it has a promising future as a feedstock for the fermentation process, which can produce a variety of chemical products at a low cost. This chapter will describe the biochemical products produced from various oil palm biomass via various fermentation processes involving various microorganism strains.

Factorial design experiment was used to obtain maximum information from the least amount of experimental runs. The goal of this study was to screen the significant factors from multivariable parameters which can influence the production of red pigment by Monascus purpureus FTC 5356 under solid state fermentation (SSF) using oil palm frond (OPF). Five factors such as initial moisture content (A), nitrogen source concentration (B), percentage of OPF leaflet to petiole (C), initial pH of substrate (D), and inoculum size (E) were screened in sixteen experimental runs. To reduce cost, the feasibility of OPF as an alternative substrate was investigated. Percentage of OPF leaflet and initial pH of OPF substrate contributed significantly (P-values of 0.0121 and 0.0229, respectively). Meanwhile, other factors such as initial moisture content (P- value 0.0766) and inoculum size (P-value 0.0895) had least impact to the red pigment production

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Factors such as environmental conditions and nutrients are significant for successful growth and reproduction of microorganisms. Manipulations of the factors are the most effective way to stimulate the growth of the microorganism, which can be used to optimize the yield of a product. In this study, Central Composite Design (CCD) of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the production of red pigment by Monascus purpureus FTC 5356 using the petioles of oil palm fronds (OPF) as a substrate in solid state fermentation (SSF). The data was analyzed using Design Expert Software. The optimum combination predicted via RSM was confirmed through experimental work. The interactions between three variables such as initial moisture content (%), initial pH value (pH), and peptone concentration (%) were studied and modelled. The statistical analysis of the results showed that the optimal conditions for red pigment production 47 AU/g with the biomass of 425.1 mg/g was at 55% initial moisture content, 3% of peptone, and at pH 3.  The RSM results showed that the initial pH value had a significant effect on red pigment production (P-value <0.05). The validation of these results was also conducted by fermentation with predicted conditions and it was found that there was a discrepancy of 0.39% between the values of the experimental result and those of the predicted values. ABSTRAK: Keadaan persekitaran dan nutrien merupakan faktor-faktor penting dalam pertumbuhan mikroorganisma. Manipulasi faktor-faktor tersebut adalah kaedah terbaik bagi meningkatkan pertumbuhan mikroorganisma dan mengoptimumkan penghasilan produk. Kajian ini mengguna pakai Rekaan Gabungan Pusat (CCD) melalui Kaedah Tindak balas Permukaan (RSM) bagi penghasilan pigmen merah optimum oleh Monascus purpureus FTC 5356 menggunakan batang pelepah kelapa sawit (OPF) sebagai perumah dalam proses penapaian pepejal (SSF). Data telah dianalisis menggunakan perisian Design Expert. Gabungan parameter optimum seperti cadangan RSM telah disahkan secara eksperimen. Interaksi antara tiga pemboleh ubah seperti kandungan lembapan awal (%), nilai pH awal (pH), dan kepekatan pepton (%) telah dikaji dan dimodelkan. Analisis statistik menunjukkan penghasilan optimal pigmen merah adalah pada 47 AU/g dengan biomas sebanyak 425.1 mg/g, pada 55% lembapan awal, 3% pepton dan pada pH 3. Hasil keputusan RSM menunjukkan pH awal memberikan kesan signifikan kepada penghasilan pigmen merah (nilai P <0.05). Pengesahan analisis juga telah dijalankan melalui proses penapaian dan hasil ujikaji mendapati 0.39% lebih tinggi daripada nilai jangkaan.